Knowledge and Practice of Nurses Regarding The Use of Low Flow Oxygen Therapy and Humidification at Tertiary Care Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Background Low-flow oxygen therapy and humidification are essential interventions in the management of patients with respiratory compromise. Nurses play a critical role in ensuring safe oxygen administration, yet gaps between knowledge and clinical practice remain a concern in healthcare settings.Aim The study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding low-flow oxygen therapy and humidification at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. Methods A quantitative cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 133 registered nurses were selected through convenient sampling from emergency, ICU, and ward settings. Data were collected using an adopted structured questionnaire consisting of demographic data, knowledge, and practice items. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 with descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages. Results Findings showed that 54.1% of nurses had good knowledge of low-flow oxygen therapy and humidification. However, only 33.1% consistently followed recommended clinical practices. Knowledge scores were higher than practice scores, indicating a clear gap between theoretical understanding and clinical implementation.Conclusion The study concludes that nurses possess adequate knowledge but demonstrate inadequate and inconsistent practices regarding low-flow oxygen therapy and humidification. Continuous training, standardized protocols, and supervision are recommended to improve clinical performance and patient safety.

Keywords Low-flow oxygen therapy, humidification, nurses, knowledge, practice, tertiary care hospital, respiratory care.