The Retention of Accuracy of Visual Estimation of Blood Loss by Qualified Nurses at 1 and 3 Months following Education Program

Abstract

Objective: To assess the retention of accuracy of estimation of blood loss at 1 and 3 months following education program. Study design: Clinical trial. Subjects: Sixty qualified nurses from operative and delivery wards during January – June 2008. Intervention: The nurses were recruited for blood loss estimation education program. Gauzes and swabs soaked with fixed amount of pack red cells were used for estimation of blood loss at 6 stations. Follow up tests was performed by all of the participants with the same 6 stations at 1 and 3 months later. The accuracy of estimation was defined as within twenty percents of actual blood volume used. Main outcomes: Percentage of nurses who estimated accurately at least 3 in 6 stations (proficient nurses) at 1 and 3 months after education program. Results: There were no significant decrease in accuracy of visual estimation of blood loss at 1 and 3 months following education program (p= 0.13). The accuracy of estimation was not associated with years of experience (p= 0.62) and working wards (p= 0.19). Conclusion: The accuracy of visual estimation of blood loss still retained at 3 months which was not different from 1 month.

Keywords

• visual estimation of blood loss
• education program
• retention of learning