title: An assessment of nurses' knowledge of botulism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess nurses' knowledge of botulism, a Centers for Disease Control Category A bioterrorism agent, one case of which constitutes an emergency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study utilized survey research.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cluster sample included 1,414 registered nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey gathered demographic data and nurses' knowledge of the background, manifestation and management of botulism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentage of correct answers for the sample was 25.95%, with a standard deviation (SD) of ±19.89%. Only 90 (6.3%) achieved 60% or more correct. Educational preparation, experience, specialty/area of practice and whether nurses had a class in disaster medicine were also examined and although differences were noted, none of these factors accounted for a score of 60% or above.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate the need for an assessment of the current education nurses receive about botulism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio 43614, USA. christopher.bork@utoledo.edu
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bork
authors.forename: Paul P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Rega
mesh_terms: D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D001906:Botulism / Q000523:psychology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*