Patient preparation for diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging procedures: an analysis of ward nurse knowledge

Purpose This study examined ward nurse understanding of diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging procedures in order to assess whether they were adequately informed to prepare their patients for nuclear medicine imaging examinations. Method A questionnaire was used to establish ward nurse knowledge and understanding of nuclear medicine. The questionnaire had two sections: nurse characteristics and nurse knowledge of information sources about nuclear medicine; knowledge assessment. The knowledge assessment had two elements—self-assessment of knowledge and objective assessment of knowledge based upon multiple choice questions. One hundred questionnaires were distributed to nurses of varying grades on six wards in a district general hospital. The six wards routinely referred patients for nuclear medicine imaging examinations. For the past four years each of these wards had been provided with information booklets for ward staff. These booklets were to provide ward staff with adequate background knowledge to prepare, physically and psychologically, their patients for diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging procedures. Results Knowledge varied considerably between nurses. Overall the nurses had a poor understanding of nuclear medicine, however their self-assessment ratings suggested they generally considered themselves inadequately informed to prepare their patients for the nuclear medicine imaging procedures. Several factors were identified to explain their lack of understanding. These included lack of specific training and education basic nursing courses and the ward nurses not knowing that information booklets were available on the ward for them. Conclusions/recommendations Ward nurse knowledge needs to be improved and inter-nurse knowledge variations need to be minimised. This may help ward nurses prepare their patients more adequately for the diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging procedures. Selection of nurses, through self-selection, may be a reliable method of deciding which nurses require additional training. However the data suggests that those nurses with a better knowledge and understanding may underrate their true ability.