title: Pre-registration adult nurses' knowledge of safe transfusion practice: Results of a 12 month follow-up study.
abstract: This research project ascertained student nurses' knowledge retention of safe transfusion practice following a standardised teaching and learning programme (produced by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, United Kingdom (UK)) within a School of Nursing in Scotland, UK. Several studies including the Serious Hazard of Transfusion (SHOT) annual reports demonstrated that there are risks to the patient in receiving blood components: receiving the wrong blood was the most common risk associated with blood transfusion (Ottewill, 2003; SHOT, 2007). This evaluative study used a questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge students (n=118) attained on the day of the session, 4-6 months and 11-12 months following the session. The study provided an insight into the effectiveness of a standardised teaching approach and highlighted areas for review in light of incorrect answers elicited. Despite all receiving the Standardised Programme, there was a wide range of initial overall scores achieved. The study demonstrated, within the small sample completing at all 3 time points, that there is clear degradation of knowledge during the study period. The influence of experience on knowledge retention appears to have a positive effect at 6 months but no appreciable effect at 12 months. These outcomes merit further, more robust and multi centre investigation to identify if there is replication of results.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Canaan Lane Campus, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH9 2TB, United Kingdom. f.smith@napier.ac.uk
authors.forename: Fiona C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pirie
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000451:nursing*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012606:Scotland; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction