Factors Affecting Nursing Performance Regarding Hygienic Care in Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

Hygienic care is a series of practices performed to preserve health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases." Aim: The study aimed to assess the factors affecting nursing performance regarding hygienic care for critically ill patients. Research design: A descriptive exploratory design has been used. Subjects: A convenience sample of all available nurses (60) who providing care for patients. Setting: The study was conducted at the medical and surgical intensive care units at El Demerdash hospital. Tools of data collection: Three tools were used to collect data: a nurses structured interviewing questionnaire, observational checklist of hygienic care, and factors affecting on hygienic care. Results: The results revealed that majority of the studied nurses (85%) had unsatisfactory knowledge scores regarding to hygienic care, (55%) had incompetent practice about hygienic care and (60%) had environmental factors. Moreover, there was a highly positive association between knowledge of studied nurses and total practice regarding to hygienic care at (R value.841 &.522) at (p value 0.000& 0.002) respectively, furthermore, Conclusion: Most of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge level regarding hygienic care, and more than half had incompetent practice level regarding hygienic care for critically ill patients, most of the studied nurses reported that the environmental factors affect their performance then nurse’s factors and lastly patient’s factors. Recommendations: Apply evidence based practice regarding hygienic care for critically ill patients in ICU.