Determination of Knowledge Levels of Nurses Working in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units about Evidence-Based Practices in the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of nurses working in the Emergency Departments (ED)and Intensive Care Units (ICU)about evidence-based practices in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia(EBP-VAP). Materials and Methods:This descriptive,two-center study was conducted on nurses working in the EDs and ICUs of two public hospitals in the city center of Malatya.A total of 199 nurses who worked in the ED or ICU for at least one year were included in the study,on voluntary basis.The data were collected by using “Personal Information Form” and the “Information on Evidence-Based Practices for the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Form”(EBP-VAP). Results:The mean age of the nurses was 35.92±6.54,58.8% of them were females and 6.7% were undergraduates.The mean total VAP score of the nurses was found to be 4.76±1.57.It was determined that there was a weak positive correlation between the ages of the nurses,their years in the profession,years of working in the emergency room/intensive care unit, and their average total VAP scores (p<0.05).It was found that the mean total VAP score of the nurses who received ICU/ventilation training was 5.09±1.32,the mean total VAP score of those who did not receive training was 4.47±1.72,and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05).The rates of correct answers given by the nurses to the questions on EBP-VAP form were endotracheal intubation type 45.2%,ventilator circuit replacement frequency 50.8%,airway humidifier type 35.2%,humidifier replacement frequency 61.8%,use of an open or closed aspiration system 57.3%,frequency of changing aspiration systems 30.2%,drainage type of subglottic secretions 55.3%, use of kinetic beds 60.3%,and patient positioning 80.4%,respectively. Conclusion:It was found that the knowledge level of nurses about EBP in the prevention of VAP was moderate.In addition,it was concluded that receiving training about ICU/ventilator,age,working years,and working years in the ED/ ICU were variables that increase the level of knowledge of the nurses about EBP-VAP.

Keywords

• Evidence-Based Practices
• Nurses
• VAP
• Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

References

1. Referans[1] Kapucu, S., Özdemir, G. (2014). Ventilatör ilişkili pnömoni ve hemşirelik bakımı. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Dergisi, 1(1), 99-110.
2. Referans[2] Bilici, A., Karahocagil, M. K., Yapıcı, K., Göktaş, U., Yama, G. (2012). Ventilatör ilişkili pnömoni sıklığı risk faktörleri ve etkenleri. Van Tıp Dergisi, 19(4), 170-176.
3. Referans[3] Coffin, S.E., Klompas, M., Classen, D., Arias, K.M., Podgorny, K., Anderson, D.J. et al. (2008).Strategies to prevent ventilator–associated pneumonia in acute care hospitals. Infection Control and Hospital Epidomiology, 29 (1), 31-40.
4. Referans[4] Sierra, R., Benítez, E., León, C., Rello, J. (2005). Prevention and diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a survey on current practices in Southern Spanish ICUs. Chest, 128, 1667- 1673.
5. Referans[5] Dodek, P., Keenan, S., Cook, D., Heyland, D., Jacka, M., Hand, L., et al. (2004). Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, Ann Intern Med, 141(4), 304-313.
6. Referans[6] Labeau, S., Vandijck, D.M., Claes, B., Van Aken, P., Blot, S.I., Executive board of the Flemish Society for Clinical Care Nurses. (2007). Critical care nurses' knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: an evaluation questionnaire, Am J Crit Care, 16, 371-377.
7. Referans[7] Akın Korhan, E., Hakverdioğlu Yönt, G., Parlar Kılıç, S., Uzelli, D. (2014). Knowledge levels of intensive care nurses on prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Nurs Crit Care, 19(1), 26-33.
8. Referans[8] Dönmez, N.F., Kanyılmaz, D., Tiryaki, C., Yılmaz, S., Dikmen, B. (2012).Yoğun Bakım Ünitelerinde Çalışan Uzmanlık Öğrencisi Doktorların Ventilatör İlişkili Pnömoninin (VİP) Önlenmesi ile İlgili Bilgi Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi Türk Anest Rean Der Dergisi, 40(4), 202-211

9. Referans[9] Blot, S.I., Labeau, S., Vandijck, D., et al. (2007). Evidencebased guidelines for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: results of a knowledge test among intensive care nurses. Intensive Care Med 33, 1463-1467
10. Referans[10] Akıncı, C., Çakar, C., Ayyıldız, A., Atalan, H.K., Ayyıldız, A. (2010). Evaluation of the Knowledge of Intensive Care Nurses on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, Türk Anest Rean Der Dergisi, 38(1), 45-51.
11. Referans[11] Zeiher, B.G., Hornick, D.B. (1996). Pathogenesis of respiratory infections and host defenses, Curr Opin Pulm Med, 2, 166-173.
12. Referans[12] El-khatib, M., Zeineldine, S., Ayoub, C., et al. (2010). Critical care clinicians’ knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia, American J Crit Care, 19, 272-277