Date of Award
Summer 2022
Project Type
Thesis
College or School
CHHS
Department
Nursing
Program or Major
Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Pamela Kallmerten
Abstract
Background: Nurses in the perioperative environment are responsible for assessing patients prior to undergoing surgery. Preoperative urine pregnancy testing is utilized to determine the pregnancy status of patients. Various risks of anesthesia and surgery exist for pregnant patients and the fetus. The perioperative nurse must be knowledgeable about these risks and ensure preoperative urine pregnancy tests are obtained when appropriate.
Local Problem: Within this microsystem, a gap in knowledge of perioperative nurses related to the nature and significance and institutional policy for preoperative urine pregnancy testing was identified.
Aim: The aim of this project was to increase knowledge of preoperative urine pregnancy testing among perioperative nurses through education, to promote patient safety and quality of care.
Methods: Guided by the Nursing Professional Development Practice Model, a virtual presentation was created to support continuing education of the perioperative nurse to increase knowledge related to preoperative urine pregnancy testing. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were utilized to analyze knowledge before and after continuing education. Perioperative nurse knowledge of the current risks and recommendations, the institutional policy, and documentation in the electronic health record as they pertain to preoperative urine pregnancy testing were assessed.
Results: Pre-intervention survey data indicated a gap in knowledge of perioperative nurses pertaining to preoperative urine pregnancy testing. An increase in knowledge across all questions in each competency assessed was evident following education. Additionally, statistically significant data across each competency was found.
Conclusions: Continuing education improved perioperative nurse knowledge of preoperative urine pregnancy testing including the risks and recommendations, institutional policy, and documentation. Continued education on this topic may be useful in other perioperative environments and may be adapted to meet the learning needs of other facilities.
Recommended Citation
Hall, Brooke K., "Increasing Perioperative Nurse Knowledge of Preoperative Urine Pregnancy Testing: A Quality Improvement Project" (2022). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1586.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1586