Anaesthetists’ knowledge of central venous catheters in a department of anaesthesiology
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Date
2020
Authors
Mukucha, Gabriel Shawn
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Abstract
Background
Central venous catheters (CVCs) are used in the emergency department, general wards
and in the peri-operative period extending into the intensive care unit (ICU). This wide
usage of CVCs is accompanied by high complication rates. In South Africa there is paucity
of literature regarding evaluation of healthcare workers (HCWs) knowledge of CVCs,
especially amongst anaesthetists. The aim of this study was to determine the
anaesthetists’ knowledge of CVCs in the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University
of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Methods
A prospective, contextual, descriptive research design was employed in this study using a
self-administered questionnaire developed following review of the literature. The study
population consisted of all anaesthetists working in the Department of Anaesthesiology at
Wits. A convenient sampling method was used and completion of the questionnaire
implied consent. Adequate knowledge was defined as a score above 15.5 out of 25 (62%)
as determined using the Angoff method.
Results
The anaesthetists’ mean score was 13.1 (SD 3.1) 52.4% which showed inadequate
knowledge of CVCs in the department. Of the 27 (21.4%) anaesthetists who had adequate
knowledge, 17 (63%) were seniors and 10 (37%) were juniors. Seniors had a mean score
out of 25 of 14.1 (SD 2.4) and juniors 12.1 (SD 3.6). Overall, seniors’ knowledge was better
than juniors’ (p=0.0005) but there was no significant difference between the seniors and
juniors who obtained adequate knowledge (p=0.199). Anaesthetists scored the lowest in
the infection control section with a median of 4 out of 10 (40%).
Conclusion
The level of knowledge with regards to central venous catheters was inadequate. There is
a need to improve this knowledge by providing more teaching and assessment around
the subject particularly with regards to infection control measures.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Anaesthesiology, to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2019