Abstract
Background: Oxygen administration, aerosol devices and drugs, or the use of chest physiotherapy are common practices in pediatrics; however, little is known about the knowledge of pediatric healthcare workers concerning the right utilization of these tools. The aim of this study was to fill this gap as a preliminary step in the implementation of appropriate educational programs. Methods: This cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of Italian pediatricians and nurses was carried out between September 1 and October 8, 2008. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire concerning the approach to respiratory disease in infants and children was distributed to all of the participants at the Annual Congress of the Italian Society of Pediatrics, together with a stamped envelope addressed to the trained study researchers. Results: Of the 900 distributed questionnaires, 76.7% were completed and returned by 606 physicians (199 primary care pediatricians, 245 hospital pediatricians, and 162 pediatric residents) and 84 pediatric nurses. The vast majority of the respondents did not know the percentage of hemoglobin saturation indicating hypoxemia that requires oxygen administration. Most of the nurses admitted to overusing mucolytics and inhalatory corticosteroids, did not know the role of ipratropium bromide, were unable to indicate the first-line drug for respiratory distress, and did not know the correct dose of salbutamol. Only a minority of the respondents were able to specify the indications for chest physiotherapy. The nurses gave the fewest correct answers regardless of their age, gender, work setting, or the frequency with which they cared for children with respiratory distress in a year cared. Conclusions: The knowledge of primary care pediatricians, hospital pediatricians, and pediatric nurses in Italy concerning the use of pulse oximetry, aerosol devices and drugs, and chest physiotherapy is far from satisfactory and should be improved. Educational programs are therefore required for both nurses and pediatricians.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 149-156 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 1 2011 |
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Keywords
- aerosol devices
- aerosol drugs
- chest physiotherapy
- children
- oxygen
- oxymetry
- pediatrics
- pulmonary drug delivery
- respiratory medicine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Pharmacology (medical)
- Pharmaceutical Science
Cite this
Knowledge of oxygen administration, aerosol medicine, and chest physiotherapy among pediatric healthcare workers in Italy. / Esposito, Susanna; Brivio, Anna; Tagliabue, Claudia; Galeone, Carlotta; Tagliaferri, Laura; Serra, Domenico; Foà, Michela; Patria, Maria Francesca; Marchisio, Paola; Principi, Nicola.
In: Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, Vol. 24, No. 3, 01.06.2011, p. 149-156.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge of oxygen administration, aerosol medicine, and chest physiotherapy among pediatric healthcare workers in Italy
AU - Esposito, Susanna
AU - Brivio, Anna
AU - Tagliabue, Claudia
AU - Galeone, Carlotta
AU - Tagliaferri, Laura
AU - Serra, Domenico
AU - Foà, Michela
AU - Patria, Maria Francesca
AU - Marchisio, Paola
AU - Principi, Nicola
PY - 2011/6/1
Y1 - 2011/6/1
N2 - Background: Oxygen administration, aerosol devices and drugs, or the use of chest physiotherapy are common practices in pediatrics; however, little is known about the knowledge of pediatric healthcare workers concerning the right utilization of these tools. The aim of this study was to fill this gap as a preliminary step in the implementation of appropriate educational programs. Methods: This cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of Italian pediatricians and nurses was carried out between September 1 and October 8, 2008. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire concerning the approach to respiratory disease in infants and children was distributed to all of the participants at the Annual Congress of the Italian Society of Pediatrics, together with a stamped envelope addressed to the trained study researchers. Results: Of the 900 distributed questionnaires, 76.7% were completed and returned by 606 physicians (199 primary care pediatricians, 245 hospital pediatricians, and 162 pediatric residents) and 84 pediatric nurses. The vast majority of the respondents did not know the percentage of hemoglobin saturation indicating hypoxemia that requires oxygen administration. Most of the nurses admitted to overusing mucolytics and inhalatory corticosteroids, did not know the role of ipratropium bromide, were unable to indicate the first-line drug for respiratory distress, and did not know the correct dose of salbutamol. Only a minority of the respondents were able to specify the indications for chest physiotherapy. The nurses gave the fewest correct answers regardless of their age, gender, work setting, or the frequency with which they cared for children with respiratory distress in a year cared. Conclusions: The knowledge of primary care pediatricians, hospital pediatricians, and pediatric nurses in Italy concerning the use of pulse oximetry, aerosol devices and drugs, and chest physiotherapy is far from satisfactory and should be improved. Educational programs are therefore required for both nurses and pediatricians.
AB - Background: Oxygen administration, aerosol devices and drugs, or the use of chest physiotherapy are common practices in pediatrics; however, little is known about the knowledge of pediatric healthcare workers concerning the right utilization of these tools. The aim of this study was to fill this gap as a preliminary step in the implementation of appropriate educational programs. Methods: This cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of Italian pediatricians and nurses was carried out between September 1 and October 8, 2008. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire concerning the approach to respiratory disease in infants and children was distributed to all of the participants at the Annual Congress of the Italian Society of Pediatrics, together with a stamped envelope addressed to the trained study researchers. Results: Of the 900 distributed questionnaires, 76.7% were completed and returned by 606 physicians (199 primary care pediatricians, 245 hospital pediatricians, and 162 pediatric residents) and 84 pediatric nurses. The vast majority of the respondents did not know the percentage of hemoglobin saturation indicating hypoxemia that requires oxygen administration. Most of the nurses admitted to overusing mucolytics and inhalatory corticosteroids, did not know the role of ipratropium bromide, were unable to indicate the first-line drug for respiratory distress, and did not know the correct dose of salbutamol. Only a minority of the respondents were able to specify the indications for chest physiotherapy. The nurses gave the fewest correct answers regardless of their age, gender, work setting, or the frequency with which they cared for children with respiratory distress in a year cared. Conclusions: The knowledge of primary care pediatricians, hospital pediatricians, and pediatric nurses in Italy concerning the use of pulse oximetry, aerosol devices and drugs, and chest physiotherapy is far from satisfactory and should be improved. Educational programs are therefore required for both nurses and pediatricians.
KW - aerosol devices
KW - aerosol drugs
KW - chest physiotherapy
KW - children
KW - oxygen
KW - oxymetry
KW - pediatrics
KW - pulmonary drug delivery
KW - respiratory medicine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79958190183&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79958190183&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/jamp.2010.0850
DO - 10.1089/jamp.2010.0850
M3 - Article
C2 - 21361785
AN - SCOPUS:79958190183
VL - 24
SP - 149
EP - 156
JO - Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery
JF - Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery
SN - 1941-2711
IS - 3
ER -