J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2013 Nov;20(4):372-380.

Perceived Importance and Performance of Intravenous Fluid Therapy by Nurses in Small-Medium General Hospitals

• Kim JI
• Lee J
• Chang O

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to investigate nurses' perceived importance of, and performance of intravenous fluid therapy.
METHODS
Data were collected from a convenience sample of 234 nurses (return rate: 93%) working in 3 small-medium general hospitals.
RESULTS
The score for perceived importance of intravenous fluid therapy (3.65+/-0.37) was higher than that of performance (3.45+/-0.39). There were positive correlations between perceived importance and performance (r=.576, p<.001). There were 180 (80.8%) errors in intravenous fluid therapy. Perceived importance and performance scores were higher in nurses who had not experienced medication errors in intravenous fluid therapy.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate a need to develop appropriate strategies to improve perceived importance and performance and enhance safety management during intravenous fluid therapy for nurses in small-medium general hospitals.

Keyword

Intravenous infusions

MeSH Terms

Fluid Therapy*
Hospitals, General*
Infusions, Intravenous
Medication Errors
Safety Management