Evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with neurotrauma: results of a knowledge test among nurses

Objective To determine nurses’ knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with neurotrauma. Methods A multiple-choice test was developed and validated concerning the evidence-based management of patients with neurotrauma. The test was used in a survey among intensive care and neuroscience nurses during the annual conferences of the Flemish Society for Critical Care Nurses and of the Belgian Association for Neuroscience Nurses. Results In total 828 questionnaires were collected. Forty eight percent of the respondents knew that treatment should be started when the intracranial pressure is ≥20mmHg. The correct formula for calculating the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was recognized by 71% of respondents. Only 47% knew that it is recommended to keep the CPP between 60-90mmHg. If an external ventricular drainage system (EVD) is used, 36% of respondents would contact a physician if ≥30ml cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected within 1 hour of time. Thirty nine percent of respondents correctly noticed that the absence of pulsations of CSF in the system might indicate occlusion of the EVD. Critical care nurses had with an average knowledge level of 50,6% a higher score than non-critical care nurses (p<0,001). Non-critical care nurses with a special degree in neuroscience nursing had significant (p