International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (139-149), Month: October 2021 - March 2022, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Critical Care Nurses' Knowledge Regarding Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Units: A cross-sectional study Abrar Mohmmad Hashem Bokhary1, Amina Hemida Salem2, Friyal Mubark Al-Qahtani3 1,2 1,2
Fundamentals of Nursing Department, College of Nursing
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: Evidence-based interventions can reduce the risk and incidence of complications such as nosocomial infections. VAP is a pulmonary infection that appears after two days of endotracheal intubation and when invasive mechanical ventilation is used. Nurses’ knowledge would facilitate optimal delivery of patient care, increase confidence in making appropriate decisions, and prevent poor outcomes in the recovery of mechanically ventilated patients. We aimed to assess critical care nurses' knowledge regarding EBGs for the prevention of VAP. Method: A cross-sectional study that was conducted in the adult ICU at King Faisal Hospital in Makah in the period between January and June 2019. A valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire was adapted and used to achieve the study objectives Results: A total of 100 nurses participated in the study. The mean knowledge score for the study participants was 17.9 (SD: 2.5) out of 25 (representing 71.6% out of the maximum score) and ranged between 9 and 23. Around 41% of the participants achieved less than 60% (fail), 35% achieved a score between 60-75% (poor knowledge), and only 24% of the participants showed satisfactory scores (≥ 75%). Nationality, level of education, and professional years of experience were important factors that influenced nurses’ knowledge regarding the EBGs for the prevention of VAP. Non-Saudi nurses, those with a master’s degree, and those with a longer duration of professional experience showed higher knowledge scores compared to others (p≤0.05). Conclusion: ICU nurses showed a high level of knowledge concerning basic nursing interventions. However, nurses lack knowledge concerning interventions recommended in the EBGs for the prevention of VAP. Nationality, years working in ICU and level of education were important factors that influenced nurses’ knowledge of EBGs for the prevention of VAP. Keywords: Intensive Care Units; Knowledge; Nurses; Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Nurses; Saudi Arabia.
I. INTRODUCTION Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk of dying not only from their critical illness but also from secondary processes such as nosocomial infections. Pneumonia is the second most common nosocomial infection in critically ill patients, affecting 27% of all critically ill patients. It is defined as an inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by infection. Mechanical ventilation provides respiratory support for critically ill patients and is one of the most significant life-saving advancements in medical science and technology. The use of mechanical ventilation is a significant risk factor for hospital-acquired pneumonia associated with aspiration, lowering of consciousness level, excessive management and patient transport, and chronic lung disease [1]. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) develops within 48 to 96 hours after mechanical ventilation initiation. The incidence rate varies between 9% and 67% [2] and the mortality rate varies between 13% and 94% [3]. This condition, which causes the prolongation of hospitalisation, is the cause of high morbidity and mortality [4].
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