Infection Control Measures for Patient with Central Line: Nurses' Performance

Abstract

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are vascular infusion tools utilized for studying hemodynamic variables, dialysis, administration of medication, and nutrition. Catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI) is a complication of central venous catheter (CVC) use. Central venous catheter-related infection (CVC-RI) is considered a common cause of increased morbidity, mortality, and medical care costs in intensive care units (ICUs). Aim of the study: to assess nurses’ performance through assess nurses’ knowledge, practice and attitude regarding infection control measures for patient with central line in critical care unit. Research design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Methods: Purposive sample of critical care nurses working in the ICU, at El-Fayoum university hospital, 40 nurses from both genders, with different ages, educational levels and years of experience was selected for this study. Data were obtained through three main tools; Self-administered questionnaire sheet, observational checklist and attitudes questionnaire tool. Results: Nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge, practice and negative attitude. There were statistically significance relation between level of knowledge, practice and attitude. Knowledge, practice &attitude were found to differ significantly in relation to socio-demographic data. Conclusion: About more than two thirds of studied nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice regarding infection control measures related to central line. Also, about more than three quarter had negative attitude. Recommendation: Designing nurses’ infection control program to improve their knowledge and practice for infection control measures related to central line. Periodically and continuously, evaluation of nurse's performance should be done to improve quality of their performance. The study should be replicated on large sample & in different hospitals setting in order to generalize the results.