KNOWLEDGE ON ADMINISTRATION OF OXYGEN AND THE DELIVERY DEVICES USED AMONG NURSES AT THE PAEDIATRIC UNIT OF KORLE BU TEACHING HOSPITAL (KBTH

Abstract

Critically ill patients usually need oxygen to survive, and this therapy must be appropriate, safe and comfortable. The objective of this study was to assess Nurses’ Knowledge on Administration of Oxygen and Devices used at the Paediatric unit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. A quantitative descriptive study design, selecting of respondents by simple random sampling with a sample size of fifty two (52) respondents would have been used. Data collection instrument would have been questionnaire. However, COVID-19 and its restrictions limited the study to critical analysis literature of this study. Upon the critical review of literature, findings from literature review recorded 65% of nurses lacking knowledge on oxygen administration with Western and Eastern Africa leading with a cumulative 70% of poor knowledge on oxygen administration. In addition, there were higher percentages recorded in the inappropriate use of oxygen delivery devices. Lack of training on oxygen therapy was found to be a hindrance to safe administration of Oxygen. It was recommended a clear oxygen therapy guideline be developed and implemented nationally to guide nurses and other health professionals in this therapy.