The Place of Nursing Theory in the Management of Post-Operative Infections in a Hospital Environment: Case of Cibitoke District Hospital

Introduction: Post-operative infections, such as surgical site infections (SSIs), are a significant concern in healthcare settings. Nurses play a crucial role in the prevention and management of these infections. The use of nursing theory could contribute to the prevention of SSIs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nursing theory in the management of surgical site infections (SSIs) in a hospital environment. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using descriptive and analytical methods to assess the role of nursing theory in the management of Post-operative infections (POI) in a hospital setting in October 2023. The study population consisted of nurses working in the Surgery, Emergency, and Maternity units at Cibitoke District Hospital. A sample size of 71 nurses working full or part time in the Surgery were invited to participate in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect the data, and SPSS version 21.0 software was used for analysis. Results: The study found that nursing theory did not have any statistically significant place in the management of POI (p-value = 0.523). However, the results showed that experience was the only significant factor influencing the management of POI (p-value = 0.004). This is explained by the analysis of the net effects of the explanatory variable where we noticed that those who had more experience were more likely to manage post-operative infections. The participants’ knowledge regarding nursing theory in the management was poor as they scored less than 30% in all the variables used to measure their knowledge. Conclusion: The study revealed that nurses’ knowledge of nursing theories and their applications in the management of SSIs was poor. Continuing professional development, curriculum review, and in-service training were highly recommended.

Clinical Preceptor’s Role in the Development of Nursing Training Based on Professional and Competency Frameworks in Two Health Care Facilities of Bujumbura

Background: The aim of clinical preceptors is to support the development of expertise related to the preceptorship of groups of trainees among nurses in clinical settings by the acquisition and use of theoretical knowledge, know-how and know-that. The support of students remains a major problem in hospitals, because the requirements of the preceptors according to the standards are not considered. The lack of guidelines on nursing preceptorships, theoretical application based on the professional curriculum, and professional expertise were the main problems assessed in the two Health Care (HUCK, VNC) in this study. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of nurses and learners during their preceptorship practices and to contribute to the direction of evidence-based preceptorship. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used in this study during the 3-month period. A sample of 121 nurses as well as 56 learners were selected from 381 nurses and 80 learners using Alain Bouchard’s formula. A questionnaire developed according to the guidelines of Ernestine Wiedenbach’s theory of care, was distributed. The data were analyzed using the Microsoft Excel and the software program version 16 (SPSS-16). Results: The current study found that the majority of nurses do not know the importance of the clinical tutor. The results state that students experience clinical practice problems, thus clinical preceptorship is required. Nurses showed that there are different barriers often encountered during their practices. The overall nurse preceptorship process is not optimal and the average of 97.6% of nurses does not have expertise in coaching interns in clinical settings. Conclusion: Although that nurses have some experience at work, they express their weakness based on a low level of education, a lack of knowledge and trained professionals on the job, and clinical preceptorship guidelines.

Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge in the Implementation of the Principles of Asepsis in the Hospital Environment

Introduction: Aseptic procedures are undertaken by nurses in the general ward. The lack of nurse’s aseptic techniques in clinical setting result to patients or healthcare expositions to hospital-acquired infections which are most of the time caused by lack of knowledge or ignorance of implementing the principles of aseptic technique. This study aims to assess nurses’ knowledge and the possible barriers in the implementation of the principles of asepsis in healthcare setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the nurses’ knowledge and the possible barriers for implementing principles of asepsis in healthcare setting among. The study was carried out at Clinique Van Norm (CVN), a free Methodist Church related institution located in the north District of Bujumbura city in Burundi, from October to November, 2021 among nurses who work within three services of the clinic (Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pediatric and Operating room). A convenience sampling method was used to invite all nurses (44) working in the 3 services of CVN to participate in our study. A self-report method involving questionnaire completion with three components addressing demographic data, participants’ knowledge and barriers to implement the principles of asepsis was used to collect data which were later on analyzed by SPSS version 21. Results: Research findings show a significant participant’s poor knowledge on principles of asepsis in the hospital as for almost variables used to assess their knowledge, they scored less than 50% except for the time of using sterile gloves in which most of the participants (71.4%) said that they do use sterile gloves when indwelling urinary catheters, labor and delivery, newborn care, wound dressing or suturing, or any time handling aseptic equipment, inserting nasogastric feeding tube... In addition, participants argued that they know the principles of asepsis (57.1%), however, only 14.3% of them were able to list at least 5 of the principles of asepsis. Finally, all our participants (100%) confirmed that there are no infection control programs in their hospital, neither an infection control protocol in their service which was evident as none of them wasn’t familiar with the contents of infection control protocol. Financial constraints, workload, lack of materials and ignorance of nurses were the most barriers to implement principles of asepsis in their service. Conclusion: This study shows a poor knowledge among nurses at CVN regarding the implementation of the principles of asepsis. Financial constraints, workload, lack of materials and ignorance of nurses were the most barriers that hinder the implementation of principles of asepsis in their service. Continuing professional development program and curriculum revision were highly recommended to overcome this problem.