Comparing the Level of Knowledge on External Ventricular Drain Care: A National Study of Neurosurgical and General...

An External Ventricular Drain (EVD) is a catheter inserted into one or both of the lateral ventricles of the brain. The indications for inserting this drain include intracranial haemorrhage, severe traumatic brain injury, to monitor intracranial pressure and to drain excess Cerebral Spinal Fluid. To ensure safe care for patients with an EVD, nurses need evidence-based knowledge in providing quality care.

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare nursing knowledge and practices regarding patients with EVDs between nurses in General Intensive (GICU) and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Units (NICU).

A convenience sample and snowball sample of General and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit nurses completed a structured questionnaire measuring the level of knowledge and describing nursing practices for patients with an EVD. Descriptive statistics, t-tests and correlations were used to analyse data.

The final sample included 154 nurses from eight Israeli medical centres, divided almost equally between NICUs (n = 78, 51%) and GICUs (n = 76, 49%). The majority of nurses were female (71.4%), and the ages ranged between 23 and 65 years, with the average being 38.8 years. NICU nurses' mean total knowledge and practices score was significantly higher than that of the GICU nurses (NICU: mean = 16.9 [SD 3.22], GICU: mean = 14.07 [SD 3.71]), p ≤ 0.00001.

The level of knowledge and self-perceived knowledge application of the nursing care of patients with an EVD was higher among NICU compared to GICU nurses. Mean GICU nurse scores were low. Therefore, it is preferred that patients with an EVD be hospitalised in neurosurgical units if possible.

This study provides additional evidence that patients receiving specialised treatments or having unique diseases or injuries should receive care from nurses with specialised experience and training.