Effect of Supportive Nursing Instructions for Maternity Nurses Regarding Electronic Fetal Monitoring

Electronic Fetal Monitoring is one of the most commonly used obstetrical practices in the evaluation of fetal well-being. Nurses have important responsibilities on application and interpretation of electronic fetal monitoring. The aim of the study was to evaluate supportive nursing instructions for maternity nurses regarding electronic fetal monitoring. Quasi experimental study design was used. The study was conducted in the Obstetrics Department at Benha University Hospital. A convenient sample of all nurses working in Obstetrics emergencies department at Benha University Hospital (70 nurse). Two tools were used for data collection; I) A self-administered questionnaire: include three parts; Part 1: Socio demographic characteristics of the studied nurses. Part 2: Obstacles that affect achieving of nursing care for the use of electronic fetal monitoring. Part 3: Assessment of nurses’ knowledge regarding electronic fetal monitoring. II) Observational checklist for performanceofnursing practices regarding electronic fetal monitoring in the obstetrics unit. The study results showed that 85.7% of nurses had poor knowledge before application of the supportive nursing instructions. However, 60% of them had good knowledge after application of the supportive nursing instructions respectively. As well as, 75.7% of them had unsatisfactory practices toward nursing care during electronic fetal monitoring before application of the supportive nursing instructions. Meanwhile, after application 82.9% had highly satisfactory practices respectively. The study concluded that supportive nursing instructions have appositive effect on nurse’s knowledge and practices regarding electronic fetal monitoring. There was a highly statistically significant difference before / after supportive nursing instructions of the studied nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding electronic fetal monitoring (P ≤ 0.001). The study recommended that continuous refreshment courses and follows up programs for nurses regarding electronic fetal monitoring