Assessment of mechanical ventilation knowledge /

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between respiratory therapists' knowledge of mechanical ventilation with longevity in the field and acquired type of education. The hypotheses tested were: Respiratory therapists with longevity in the field will achieve higher scores on the written assessment tool than those with fewer years of experience. Respiratory therapy graduates of traditional degreed educational programs will achieve higher scores on the written assessment tool than therapists trained through non-degreed programs. Methods: A 25-question testing instrument assessed mechanical ventilation knowledge. All questions were multiple-choice with four to five single response options. A participant questionnaire was used to ascertain demographic, clinical experience, education, and longevity in data. Informed consent was obtained prior to the administration of the proctored testing instrument at the participant's place of employment. Data were analyzed by regression analysis using SPSS 10.0 for windows (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, 1999). Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 159 of a possible 470 participants (34%) completed the assessment tool and experience survey. A few therapists (7.5%) were completed non-traditional training programs. Longevity ranged from 0 to 29 mean = 8.5 (SD ± 8.7). Test scores ranged from 12 - 96%. The mean test score was 65.9% (SD ± 19%). A statistically significant correlation between longevity in the field and type of education with test score (p=0.002, R2= 0.78) was found. Conclusions: The quality of patient care cannot be assumed when deficiencies in knowledge and application of mechanical ventilation occur.