Utilisation of the nursing process for patient care in Ghana: The case of nurses of Tamale teaching hospital

Abstract

Globally, the quality of health care relates closely with the quality of nursing care. The nursing process is widely adopted as an evidenced-based tool that guides the practice and delivery of quality nursing care. To improve its use, a number of studies have been conducted into the extent of use of the nursing process and its associated challenges in several countries. In Ghana, however, the extent of use of the nursing process, as well as, barriers associated with its use have not been thoroughly examined. This study sought to assess the extent of use of the nursing process, as well as, barriers associated with its use at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional survey of 286 registered nurses and midwives, chosen by stratified random sampling technique, was undertaken using a self-completing questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 23. Statistical tools used were Frequencies, Kruskal-Wallis H Test of association and Multiple Logistic Regression. Most participants were highly knowledgeable in the nursing process (71.0%), while usage of the nursing process was low (32.3%). Major barriers of the nursing process were stressful work environment (96.8%), absence of nursing process policy (94.7%), lack of further nursing process training (91.5%), inadequate supply of consumables (81.2%), and lack of nursing process clinical skills (42.9%). Age, educational level and years of experience were significantly associated with the use of the nursing process. Nursing process policy and supply of consumables/stationery were found to be significant predictors of the use of the nursing process. The hospital should, therefore, develop a nursing process policy, supply adequate quantities of consumables and conduct periodic clinical re-training of nurses on the nursing process.