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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION OF NURSES TOWARDS THE DOCUMENTATION OF NURSING CARE OF PATIENTS IN IRRUA SPECIALIST TEACHING HOSPITAL ISTH

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Documentation is a fundamental component of nursing practice, serving as a crucial element in the delivery of quality healthcare. The practice of thorough and accurate documentation is essential for maintaining continuity of care, facilitating communication among healthcare providers, and ensuring the legal integrity of patient care records. In nursing, documentation involves the comprehensive recording of patient information, care provided, observations, and interventions. It is a reflection of the clinical judgment and professional expertise of nurses. Proper documentation can significantly impact patient outcomes by enabling timely and informed clinical decisions.

At the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) in Edo State, Nigeria, like in many other healthcare institutions, the quality of nursing documentation has been a focal point of interest due to its critical role in patient care management. ISTH, a tertiary healthcare facility, provides specialized medical services and training. Nurses at ISTH play a pivotal role in patient care, and their documentation practices are essential for effective healthcare delivery.

Despite its importance, various factors can influence the quality of nursing documentation, including nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions. Understanding these factors can help in identifying gaps and developing strategies to improve documentation practices. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of nurses at ISTH towards the documentation of nursing care. By examining these aspects, the study seeks to contribute to the enhancement of nursing documentation practices, thereby improving patient care quality.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Inadequate documentation in nursing care is a pervasive issue that can lead to significant negative outcomes, including compromised patient safety, ineffective communication among healthcare providers, and potential legal implications. At ISTH, anecdotal evidence and preliminary observations suggest that there may be inconsistencies in the documentation practices of nurses. Factors such as heavy workloads, time constraints, and lack of proper training may contribute to suboptimal documentation practices.

The problem is further compounded by the potential gap in the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of nurses regarding the importance and implementation of effective documentation. Without a clear understanding of these elements, it is challenging to address the root causes of inadequate documentation and implement effective interventions. This study is, therefore, necessary to systematically investigate these factors and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving nursing documentation practices at ISTH.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The specific objectives of this study are:

1. To determine the level of knowledge of nurses at ISTH regarding the documentation of nursing care.
2. To identify the attitudes of nurses at ISTH towards the documentation of nursing care.
3. To examine the perceptions of nurses at ISTH on the importance and utility of documentation in nursing care.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

1. What is the level of knowledge of nurses at ISTH regarding the documentation of nursing care?
2. What are the attitudes of nurses at ISTH towards the documentation of nursing care?
3. How do nurses at ISTH perceive the importance and utility of documentation in nursing care?
4. What factors influence the documentation practices of nurses at ISTH?
5. How does the level of knowledge of nurses at ISTH relate to their documentation practices?
6. What are the barriers to effective nursing documentation at ISTH?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The study will test the following hypotheses:

1. There is a significant relationship between the knowledge of nurses and their documentation practices at ISTH.
2. Positive attitudes of nurses towards documentation are significantly associated with better documentation practices at ISTH.
3. Perceptions of the importance of documentation significantly influence the documentation practices of nurses at ISTH.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be of significant value to multiple stakeholders within the healthcare system at ISTH and beyond:

• Nursing Practice: The study will provide insights into the current state of nursing documentation practices and identify areas for improvement. This can lead to the development of targeted interventions and training programs to enhance documentation skills among nurses.
• Healthcare Management: Administrators and policymakers at ISTH will benefit from understanding the factors influencing nursing documentation. This knowledge can inform policies and resource allocation to support better documentation practices.
• Patient Care: Improved documentation practices will enhance the quality of patient care, ensuring better continuity of care and more informed clinical decision-making.
• Academic Contribution: The study will contribute to the body of knowledge in nursing research, particularly in the context of nursing documentation in Nigeria, providing a basis for further studies in this area.