Background and objective: Competencies of knowledge,
skill, and attitudes of nurse anesthetists may
influence on successfulness of peripheral nerve block
done by anesthesiologists. This study is to determine
factors associated with competencies of nurse anesthetists
assisting anesthesiologist in peripheral nerve
block procedure.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study at
Songklanagarind hospital. All nurse anesthetists were
initially received pretest (knowledge and skill) for
assisting in peripheral nerve block procedure before
underwent for ultrasound training (one-hour lecture
and 20 minutes workshop). The posttests consisting
of 3 categories (knowledge, skill and attitude) were
evaluated 2 months after training. Then the pretest
and posttest scores were compared as well as the
factors associated with posttest score for each category
was performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically
significant.
Results: The response rate was 87% (55/63). The mean
age of participants was 33.09 ± 9.55 years. Posttest
scores regarding knowledge, and skill were significantly
higher than pretest score (p<0.001). Factor associated
with higher knowledge of nurse anesthetists was
younger age and longer years of working experience
(p = 0.01). Factors associated with higher skill of nurse
anesthetists was master degree of graduation (compared
with bachelor degree) (p = 0.002). Conclusion: A comprehensive ultrasound training in
conjunction with younger age but longer years of
working experience of nurse anesthetist are significant
factors associated with knowledge competency in
nurse anesthetists whereas higher degree of graduation
is significant factor associated with skill competency
in nurse anesthetists assisting anesthesiologist to
perform peripheral nerve block