Nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards safe mobility among institutionalised older clients

Abstract

This descriptive exploratory study was designed to assess nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards safe mobility among institutionalised older clients and to observe how it reflected in the ward environment. Data collection was done by means of three tools devised for this study, namely the nurses' attitude scale, a self-administered questionnaire and a ward observation schedules. A sample of 32 nurses was selected by systemic sampling whereby 75% of the sample returned the questionnaire. Mailed questionnaires were completed by 12 nursing officers, 5 deputy nursing officers and 8 staff nurses. Findings indicated that nurses working at a local residential home appear to hold favourable attitudes towards safe mobility among institutionalised older clients. However, analysis of nurses' knowledge about factors that may inhibit safe mobility revealed that staff nurses were found to be more knowledgeable than the nursing officers and deputy nursing officers. Furthermore, although nurses showed favourable attitudes towards safe mobility, this was not reflected in the ward observation data. This is because several hazards to safe mobility were identified such as cluttering of bedrooms, corridors and bathrooms, unavailable non-skid mats near bathroom facilities, unplugged nurse call leads, and inadequate night-lights. Moreover, lack of safety environmental measures in certain wards such as, single lever mixers in bathroom and toilet facilities, easy reachable overhead light switches and nurse call system, height adjustable geriatric chairs and armchairs, highly polished floors, inwards opening bathroom and toilet doors, unavailable non-skid strips to every stair step and elimination of steps overhang do not support the favourable attitudes showed by nurses. These deficiencies may indicate that nurses' knowledge and favourable attitudes are not being used in the daily running of the ward. Additionally, nurses might not have been involved in planning of the refurbished wards. In an attempt to improve the nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards safe mobility among institutionalised older clients supported by a safe ward environment, several recommendations were done.