NURSES’ LEVEL OF PRACTICE AND ATTITUDE TOWARD CARE OF PATIENTS PRE/POST LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Background: The most prevalent cause of biliary tract disorders in adults is gallstones, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a golden standard and less invasive treatment for this condition. Highly standard of nursing care is a significant factor in patient recovery, especially laparoscopy, though less invasive than the traditional open surgery, with less risk of complications. Aim: this study was to assess nurses’ level of practice and attitude toward care of patients pre/post laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized. Setting: It was carried out in male and female surgical wards at Ismailia Medical Complex. Sample: A nonprobability convenient sample of all available nurses (50 nurses) from both sexes in previously mentioned wards. Tools for data collection: Three tools were utilized in the current study; Tool I: personal data sheet to assess demographic data, Tool II: Observational checklist to observe the level of nurses' practice, and Tool III: nurses’ attitude scale to identify nurses’ attitude toward care of patient pre/post laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: the findings of the study revealed that most of the nurses recruited had a moderate adequacy level of practice and positive attitude toward care of patients pre/post laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Moreover, there was a highly statistically significant difference between nurses' personal data and their level of practice and attitude. Conclusion: Studied nurses` level of practice and attitude toward care of patients pre/post laparoscopic cholecystectomy were moderate adequacy and positive level sequentially. There was a positive correlation between nurses' adequacy level of practice and their attitude. Recommendations: Periodic in-service training sessions in an advanced and comprehensive manner toward nursing care for patients pre/post laparoscopic cholecystectomy to improve their practice and attitude.