Other Titles
Nurses' Experiences of Managing Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: Traumatic hemorrhagic shock is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate and effective management by emergency department nurses. Globally, trauma accounts for approximately 5.8 million deaths annually, with hemorrhagic shock contributing to 30-40% of these fatalities. The management of traumatic hemorrhagic shock in the emergency department is a complex and challenging task that requires a multidisciplinary approach and specialized nursing care. Nurses play a critical role in the early recognition, assessment, and stabilization of patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, as they are often the first healthcare professionals to encounter these patients in the emergency department.
The incidence of traumatic injuries and hemorrhagic shock is a significant public health problem in Ghana.
In Ghana, nurses face unique challenges in managing these critical cases, yet their experiences remain largely unexplored.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore nurses' experiences of managing traumatic hemorrhagic shock in the emergency department of a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana.
Design/Method: The Qualitative, exploratory descriptive design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected emergency department nurses. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews lasting 45-60 minutes and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three main themes and twelve sub-themes emerged from the study. The study revealed that nurses managing traumatic hemorrhagic shock in emergency departments use evidence-based practices like the ABCDE method, fluid resuscitation, and teamwork. Despite this, Nurses encounter challenges of limited resources, high workloads, inexperienced staff, and poor interdepartmental communication. These challenges underscored systemic issues that amplify stress and complicate care delivery in high-pressure settings.
The nurses revealed that they rely on peer support, personal coping strategies, and positive outcomes for motivation, though institutional psychological support is lacking.
Conclusion: These findings accentuate the need for systemic interventions, including improved resource allocation, enhanced training programs, better interdepartmental coordination, and formal counseling services, to support nurses in delivering high-quality care and maintaining their well-being in high-pressure emergency settings.
Notes
References:
Abdelmoty, A., Nasr, M. H., & Mohammed, H. M. (2021). Nurses Performance Regarding Care of Patients with Hypovolemic Shock: Suggested Guideline. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 12(4), 876-889.
Abo al-ata, A. B. (2020). Nurses Knowledge and Practice Regarding Patients With Posttraumatic Hypovolemic Shock. Port Said Scientific Journal of Nursing, 4(2), 168-182.
Ahmad, T., & Ali, K. (2022). Navigating the Storm: Addressing Critical Care Challenges in Emergency Medicine Through the Management of Acute Trauma. Cosmic Journal of Biology, 8(2), 125-138.
Elbaih, A. H., & Abou, E. A. (2020). Approach for emergency traumatic hemorrhagic shock. Sun Text Review of Surgery, 1(2), 108-115.
Erdman, M. O., Chardavoyne, P., & Olympia, R. P. (2019). School nurses on the front lines of medicine: The approach to a student with severe traumatic bleeding. NASN School Nurse, 34(3), 137-143.
Folkman, S., & Moskowitz, J. T. (2004). Coping: Pitfalls and promise. Annu. Rev. Psychol., 55(1), 745-774.
Sigma Membership
Chi Omicron
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Acute Care, Workforce, Academic-Clinical Partnership, Hemorrhagic Shock, Traumatic Shock (Pathology), Nurses' Attitudes, Experience, Ghana
Recommended Citation
Achempim-Ansong, Gloria and Mensah, Princilla, "Experiences of Nurses Managing Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 215.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/215
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-25
Experiences of Nurses Managing Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Traumatic hemorrhagic shock is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate and effective management by emergency department nurses. Globally, trauma accounts for approximately 5.8 million deaths annually, with hemorrhagic shock contributing to 30-40% of these fatalities. The management of traumatic hemorrhagic shock in the emergency department is a complex and challenging task that requires a multidisciplinary approach and specialized nursing care. Nurses play a critical role in the early recognition, assessment, and stabilization of patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, as they are often the first healthcare professionals to encounter these patients in the emergency department.
The incidence of traumatic injuries and hemorrhagic shock is a significant public health problem in Ghana.
In Ghana, nurses face unique challenges in managing these critical cases, yet their experiences remain largely unexplored.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore nurses' experiences of managing traumatic hemorrhagic shock in the emergency department of a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana.
Design/Method: The Qualitative, exploratory descriptive design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected emergency department nurses. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews lasting 45-60 minutes and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three main themes and twelve sub-themes emerged from the study. The study revealed that nurses managing traumatic hemorrhagic shock in emergency departments use evidence-based practices like the ABCDE method, fluid resuscitation, and teamwork. Despite this, Nurses encounter challenges of limited resources, high workloads, inexperienced staff, and poor interdepartmental communication. These challenges underscored systemic issues that amplify stress and complicate care delivery in high-pressure settings.
The nurses revealed that they rely on peer support, personal coping strategies, and positive outcomes for motivation, though institutional psychological support is lacking.
Conclusion: These findings accentuate the need for systemic interventions, including improved resource allocation, enhanced training programs, better interdepartmental coordination, and formal counseling services, to support nurses in delivering high-quality care and maintaining their well-being in high-pressure emergency settings.
Description
This study aimed to explore nurses' experiences of managing traumatic hemorrhagic shock at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana. The study revealed that nurses encounter challenges of limited resources, high workloads, inexperienced staff, and poor interdepartmental communication.