ABSTRACT
The study was undertaken to assess radiographers’ knowledge of management of unconscious patients and their response to unconscious patients in teaching hospitals as well as National Orthopeadic hospital Enugu. A population size of forty radiographers was studied. The sampling techniques used was convenience sampling. That was collected using self administered structured questionnaires. Data collected showed that 42.5% of the radiographers in the studied areas showed competence in their application of Basic life support (BLS). Only 30% has received any form of training on the subject. There is gross dissatisfaction among radiographers about facilities for acute management of unconscious patients in their department (97.5%). Most radiographers are not satisfied with their knowledge of management of unconscious patients (92.5%). However, almost all radiographers expressed concern on the need for improvement in the training of the radiographers and equipping of their departments with emergency care facilities. Recommendations were also made in line with obvious deficiency in knowledge.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page ---------i
Dedication ---------ii
Approval Page--------iii
Certification --------iv
Acknowledgement ---------v
Abstract ---------vi
Table of Contents--------vii
List of Tables--------viii
CHAPTER ONE:INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of Study ------1
1.2 Statement of Problem ------2
1.3 Purpose of Study -------4
1.4 Specific Objectives------4
1.5 Significance of Study ------5
1.6 Definition of Terms------5
CHAPTER TWO:LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Knowledge of Acute Management of Unconscious Patients Among Radiographers ------11
2.2 Response of Radiographers to Unconscious Patients -14
2.3 Availability of Training Skills for Radiographers --16
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Methodology -------17
3.1 Research Design -------17
3.2 Target Population -------17
3.3 Sampling Technique ------17
3.4 Sample Size -------17
3.5 Selection Criteria -------17
3.6 Source of Data -------18
3.7 Method of Data Collection -----18
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Discussion of Findings -------27
5.2 Summary --------30
5.3 Recommendations -------31
5.4 Limitations --------31
5.5 Conclusion --------32
References --------33
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.0: Age and Gender distribution -----21
Table 2.0: Highest Level of Qualification and Number of Years of Practice =----22
Table 3.0: Assessment of Correct Sequence of Actions Taken in BLS23
Table 4.0: Respondent’s Perception of their Ability in Management of Unconscious Patients -24
Table 5.0: Respondents’ Rating of General Awareness of BLS among Radiographers and Reasons for such results -25
Table 6.0: Respondents’ Perception of Adequacy and Need for Training and Equipment of Facility for BLS---26
INTRODUCTION
The Medical field is a wide field comprising of all health care providers. All the various health care providers work together to restore the health of the patient. It is therefore pertinent for health care personnel to at least be well skilled in management of emergencies which they find in their hands in the course of their daily duty especially unconscious patients, who they may incidentally encounter.
Medical Radiography, which is known as the ‘eye of medicine’ is a part of this group which specializes in providing patient care through the use of radiographic and/or fluoroscopic equipments with other imaging modalities, like ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging etc. As health care providers, it is imperative that the patients comfort, privacy as well as safety are guaranteed during the procedures.
In events of emergencies in the department, it is also the responsibility of the radiographer to institute acute management of such patients until more specialized care is available.
Emergency procedures are common recurrences in the x-ray department. Even apparently simple procedures may be fraught with dangerous risks. This is typified in the administration of sedatives during procedures whose careful monitoring and registered nursing support is essential1 in this case, where nursing support is absent, the onus is on the radiographer to execute these tasks.
Therefore, as the role of the radiographer continues evolving from being primarily a diagnostician as more patients are being referred fro interventional procedures, it is expected that the radiographer, in addition to having professional autonomy and acceptability, also acquires adequate resuscitation skills.
The emphasis is on knowledge and assessment of an unconscious patient as well as institution of basic life support also known as primary survey until the casualty team arrives.
It is also imperative to know common causes of loss of consciousness in the department and risk factors for these with the aim of preventing them.
In the past, very little effort has been made to train physiotherapists, radiographers and other paramedical officers in the art of basic life support. This has a negative impact on patients’ care as preventable deaths are allowed. Ideally, any hospital worker should be able to provide basic life support. However, where impossible, the officers that directly relate with the patients ought to be taught these skills and such department ought to be provided with cost – effective resuscitation equipment.
Although death is not common in the radiology department, alertness shows measurable correlation with the efficiency of a hospital.
