The Effect of a Nurse Education Program on Infiltration and Extravasation in Pediatric Patients at a University Hospital

INTRODUCTION: Prevention of infiltration/extravasation in pediatric patients is important. This study has examined the effect of an education program aims to prevent and manage pediatric infiltration and extravasation, on infiltration and extravasation rates in pediatric patients.
METHODS: This is a semi-experimental study in single group pretest-posttest design. A sample of 79 nurses staff, 289 IV catheters of 150 pediatric patients. Pediatric infiltration/extravasation training was given to the nurses and the effectiveness of the training program and infiltration/extravasation rates before and after the training were evaluated.
RESULTS: Compared to pre-education phase, there was significant increase in nurses’ knowledge mean scores in post-education phase (t: 7.328; p<0.001). The education program was implemented based on the probability rate that was calculated by the researchers; this enabled reducing pediatric I/E 12-fold (odds ratio: 12.214, 95% CI).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study has led to an improvement in nursing care, the quality of patient care and has helped progress toward increased patient safety.