Survey of Current Injury Prevention Practices by Registered Nurses in the Emergency Department

Introduction It has been shown that a vast majority of injured patients who seek treatment in emergency departments are seen and released. The events resulting in the individuals seeking treatment may have been preventable and some of the time spent in an emergency department could be used for injury prevention (IP) education. This study sought to determine current IP practices of registered nurses working in an emergency department, to discover whether or not they believed IP was important, and to identify perceived obstacles for incorporating IP education into clinical practice. Methods A convenience sample of 150 registered nurses working in the emergency departments of an adult level 1 trauma centre in Ontario, Canada was used. A descriptive survey composed of 10 questions was used. Data analysis was completed using SPSS Version 11.0. Results Findings suggest current IP strategies are varied, and implemented inconsistently. Evidence indicates educating patients about IP is an important part of the emergency nurse role. However, time, education, and resources were recognized obstacles to implementation. Discussion A better understanding of registered nurses' current IP practices will guide the development and implementation of a future adult focused injury prevention program for ED patients.