Critical Care Nurse ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Knowledge ; Clinical Competences ; Clinical Protocols
Abstract
Purpose: For this study an examination was done of relationships between intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’
knowledge related to sedation and their clinical competencies in sedation practice. Methods: Ninety one ICU
nurses were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in South Korea. A self-report questionnaire was used to examine
the levels of knowledge related to sedation and nursing practice competence based on Ajzen’s theory of planned
behavior. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlations were performed
using the IBM SPSS 21.0 Results: ICU nurses are more knowledgeable about general information on sedation
rather than up-to-date information. Continuing education on sedation was related to difference in knowledge
levels. However, the levels of knowledge were not related to competence in sedation practice. Instead, a positive
attitude toward sedation practice was significantly related to the subjective norms; orders and goals, perceived
behavioral control, practice of sedation, and intention to use. Conclusion: The results of this study provide
fundamental information on levels of knowledge related to sedation practices of Korean ICU nurses. Continuing
education should emphasize up-to-date information on sedation practice and need for positive attitudes which
influence all other competencies towards sedation practices to achieve optical care of sedation in the ICU.