KNOWLEDGE REGARDING POST TRAUMATIC COMPARTMENT SYNDROME OF LIMBS AMONG NURSES OF TEACHING HOSPITAL

Introduction: Acute compartment syndrome is a serious complication of limbs trauma. The condition is a surgical emergency and is associated with significant morbidity if not diagnosed and treated effectively. Adequate Nurses' Knowledge regarding compartment syndrome is most important measure for early diagnosis and prevention. The objective of the study is to assess Knowledge regarding post traumatic compartment syndrome of limbs among nurses of Teaching Hospital. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study design on quantitative approach was adopted to find out the knowledge regarding post traumatic compartment syndrome of limbs from 12 August to September 7, 2018 enrolling 90 nurses from surgical, orthopedic, private and emergency wards in Patan Hospital. Data was collected using structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 16. A total enumerative sampling technique was used. Results: 39(43.33%) had adequate level of knowledge, 21(23.33 %%) had moderate level of knowledge and 30(33.34%) had inadequate level of knowledge regarding prevention of post traumatic compartment syndrome of limbs. There was no significant association between age, level of education, working experience, working area and level of knowledge as P value: 0.673, 0.473, 0.137, and 0.715, respectively. But there was significant association between working experience in orthopedic nursing and level of knowledge (p- value: 0.015) Conclusion: Nearly half of the respondents had adequate level of knowledge. Nurses working in orthopedic ward had good level of knowledge than working in others words. Thus, providing regular continue nursing education can be an important factor to enhance nurses' knowledge on Compartment Syndrome.