Nurses' knowledge and Practice about Infection Control for Neonate under Mechanical Ventilation Therapy

Abstract

Care of critically ill neonate in neonatal intensive care units has achieved an exceptional development – for this reason, nurses should be able to develop their practice and knowledge related to infection control to neonate under mechanical ventilation therapy. Aim of the study: The study was assess nurses' knowledge and practice regarding following universal precaution to control infection for neonate under mechanical ventilation. Research design: A descriptive. Research settings: The study was conducted in three Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at Children and Obstetric and Gynacology Hospitals, affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals, and Shipeen El-Kome teaching hospital affiliated to El-Monofia government. Research subject: A purposive sample composed of 30 nurses selected randomly from previously mention settings which out off 55 nurses totally. Tools for data collection: questionnaire sheet to assess nurses’ knowledge, and observational check list to assess nurses’ practice. Results:. Results of the study reveled that the mean practice score was indicated incompetent nurses’ practice, while mean knowledge score were ranged from average to poor. Conclusion: The neonatal nurses did not follow the universal precaution as their score of practice were incompetent, nurses’ knowledge ranged from poor to average and there is relationship between nurses’ training and their knowledge and practice. Recommendations: The study was recommended that, in-service education programs are needed to upgrade nurse’s knowledge and their level of practice for following universal precautions of infection control during management of mechanically ventilated neonates.