Practices of effective management of hypertensive emergencies among nurses on emergency outpatient department (EOPD) at Lubaga hospital, Kampala district: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Keywords:
Barriers, Effective Management, Hypertensive Emergencies, , Nurses at Emergency Out Patient Department, Lubaga HospitalAbstract
Introduction: Globally, hypertensive emergencies remain a major public health concern, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. In Uganda, the burden of hypertension is rising, and effective management of hypertensive emergencies in emergency outpatient departments (EOPD) is critical to prevent complications such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. So this study accessed practices to effective management of hypertensive emergencies among nurses on emergency outpatient department at Lubaga hospital, Kampala district
Methodology: This study therefore aimed to establish the barriers to effective management of hypertensive emergencies among nurses on EOPD at Lubaga Hospital in Kampala District. The study employed a cross-sectional design using quantitative methods. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 44 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, checked for completeness, entered into Microsoft Excel, cleaned, and analyzed in SPSS. Results were presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
Findings: Regarding adherence to guidelines, 22 (50.0%) did not refer to any guideline, 31 (70.5%) reported unavailability of updated protocols, and 26 (59.1%) indicated that no CPD sessions were conducted at the facility. Concerning workload, 18 (40.9%) managed more than 30 patients per shift, 20 (45.5%) reported workload severely affecting their ability to manage cases, 28 (63.6%) had delayed treatment due to workload, and 38 (86.4%) recommended hiring more staff to improve care.
Conclusion: Nurses on EOPD at Lubaga Hospital faced significant barriers to effectively managing hypertensive emergencies. These included inadequate knowledge and skills, poor adherence to guidelines, high workload, and lack of continuing professional development.
Recommendations: Addressing these barriers through training, guideline dissemination, and staff recruitment is essential to improve the quality of emergency care for hypertensive patients.
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