Evaluation of training on the use of Graseby syringe drivers for rural nonspecialist nurses.

Abstract

AIM: to assess the impact of a training programme on nurse confidence in: setting up the Graseby syringe driver (GSD); explaining the GSD to patient and family; setting the rate on the GSD; putting appropriate type and dose of drugs in the GSD.

STUDY DESIGN: training programme with pre-training, post-training and follow-up questionnaires.

SAMPLE AND SETTING: palliative care nurse consultants presented half-day training sessions to 270 non-specialist nurses throughout the rural Grampians Health Region of Victoria, Australia. Nurses were from rural acute and sub-acute care settings, aged care facilities, and district nursing and nurse education services.

MEASUREMENTS: demographic details of participants, previous experience and training with GSDs, comparative analyses of the four confidence parameters and participants' assessment of interest, new knowledge and usefulness of the training programme. Results: increases in confidence levels were found in participating nurses in relation to each of the four confidence parameters. A follow-up survey tested residual benefit three months after the training programme. Statistically significant variations were found in nurses' confidence levels in relation to frequency of use.

CONCLUSIONS: regular use of, and/or refresher sessions about the GSD are recommended to maintain optimum confidence, effective and safe nursing use of the GSD in palliative care.