title: Evaluation of a radial artery cannulation training program for intensive care nurses: a descriptive, explorative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radial arterial line is required for critically ill patients to provide continuous blood pressure monitoring and arterial blood sampling. A program training experienced ICU nurses to perform radial artery cannulation was introduced in a Melbourne metropolitan ICU to allow early treatment and intervention to be delivered to patients while medical staff attend to more urgent diagnostic care. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program for radial artery cannulation in the ICU.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive explorative study involving a convenience sample of two groups of ICU nurses (11 and 10 participants) was conducted in a 20-bed multi-discipline adult ICU within this metropolitan hospital. Stage I involved data collection of all radial artery cannulation attempts made by participants for a period of 6 months from the training date. Stage II involved completion of questionnaires by participants to reflect on their experience 6 months post-training. The effectiveness of the training program was evaluated based on the success rates of cannulations, any reports of adverse events and participants' responses to questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  107 patients underwent a cannulation attempt of which 67 (63%) were successful with no reports of adverse events. Eleven nurses managed to achieve competency with a minimum of two successful cannulations. Sixty-seven percent (14 out of 21) responded to the questionnaire and 93% expressed that they would recommend this course to other colleagues. About half of the respondents stated that the ICU nurses' ability to perform radial artery cannulations may prevent patients from having to wait for long periods when doctors are held up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings showed that ICU nurses can safely insert radial arterial lines with improvements recommended.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Austin Hospital, Studley Road, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Bee.CHEE@austin.org.au
authors.forename: Bee C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shahwan-Akl
authors.forename: Nigel G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Fealy
authors.forename: Melodie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Heland
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rogan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000451:nursing*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017534:Radial Artery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires