The Use of Vasopressors by Nurses and Physicians in Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Supporting hemodynamics using vasopressive agents is common in the treatment of critically ill patients. It is imperative that clinicians administer these agents safely and appropriately. Data related to the awareness, use, selection, and implications of vasopressor use in Nigerian hospitals is lacking from the current literature.

Aim: To assess clinician knowledge and attitudes toward vasopressor use while examining the demographic characteristics of nurses and physicians using vasopressors in Nigerian Hospitals, and to identify barriers affecting early vasopressor use to treat sepsis and septic shock in support of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign-2 guidelines.

Methods: Participants were recruited from an online social media group consisting of nurses and physicians practicing in critical care settings in Nigeria. Survey methodology was used, and responses were collected via Google forms.

Results/Findings: There was little variation in selections regarding indications for vasopressor use between professional groups, with most respondents favoring fluid unresponsive shock patients and low mean arterial pressure (MAP). The majority of respondents indicated the desired outcome from vasopressor treatment were increased MAP, increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Most institutions lack vasopressor guidelines, though just one half of responses agreed that vasopressor use should be reduced once desired outcomes are achieved.

Conclusions: Survey findings suggest that nurses and physicians practicing in Nigerian hospital settings possess moderate knowledge around vasopressor use in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock. Moderate knowledge of vasopressor indications and clinical outcomes does not align with current vasopressor administration practices in critical care settings.