EVALUATION OF CLINICAL PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES FOR PEDIATRIC CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION BY NURSES

Background: Pediatric cardiac catheterization is a critical diagnostic and therapeutic intervention used to manage congenital and acquired cardiac conditions in children. The quality of nursing care before, during, and after the procedure significantly influences patient safety, procedural outcomes, and recovery. Despite its clinical importance, limited data exist regarding the practical performance of nurses in pediatric catheterization settings in developing countries. This study aimed to assess nurses' adherence to standard clinical practices during pediatric cardiac catheterization. Objective: To evaluate the clinical practices and procedural adherence of nurses involved in pediatric cardiac catheterization. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Razi Institute, Lahore, from January to April 2025. The study included 120 registered nurses with valid PNMC licenses, aged over 20 years, and with a minimum of six months of experience caring for pediatric cardiac patients. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. A structured checklist comprising pre-, intra-, and post-catheterization practices was used to assess performance. Practices scoring ≥75% were deemed acceptable, while those scoring <75% were considered poor. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 24. Results: Among the 120 nurses, 53.33% were aged 33–38 years, 66.67% were married, and 50.0% held a Post-RN BSN degree. Regarding experience, 69.17% had between 6–10 years. Pre-catheterization practices were notably deficient: 85.0% did not ensure consent completion, 87.5% failed to check echocardiograms, and 55.83% omitted vital sign monitoring. Intra-procedural performance was stronger, with 95.83% assisting physicians and 95.0% flushing lines correctly. However, 80.83% failed to recommend limb positioning post-procedure, 79.17% did not monitor vitals adequately, and 96.67% did not assess dressing sites. Composite scoring revealed 100% of nurses scored below the 75% threshold. Conclusion: The study highlighted critical gaps in pediatric cardiac catheterization nursing practices, particularly in pre- and post-procedural care. Strengthening training and standardizing protocols is essential to improve nursing outcomes.