Abstracts

Few hospitals have formal policy and procedures (P[amp]P) addressing seizure precautions and management. Hospital policy and procedures improve patient safety by standardizing patient care and providing a framework for evidence-based practice. Challenges for developing seizure P[amp]P include: nursing staff turnover and variation in nursing knowledge and experience on non-neuroscience hospital units. The objective of this project was to assess the implementation of standardized hospital-wide guidelines for management of seizures. P[amp]P were developed and implemented at an adult tertiary care hospital. The P[amp]P addressed: acute seizure management, seizure precautions, seizure assessment and documentation. Prior to implementation educational sessions were held to familiarize the nursing staff with the P[amp]P. A standardized multiple-choice questionnaire was developed to assess nursing knowledge on the management of seizures. The nurses were also asked to rate their personal experience and comfort level in caring for patients with seizures on 100mm visual analog scales. Registered and licensed practical nurses from general medicine and surgical units were surveyed: prior to P[amp]P education, following the education session and three months after implementation of P[amp]P. Implementation of seizure P[amp]P improved nursing knowledge and comfort level regarding management of seizure disorders. P[amp]P are important in achieving optimal hospital-wide management of patients with seizure disorders. The use of a standardized questionnaire provided a mechanism for evaluating the implementation process and monitoring the need for ongoing staff education.