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.