An Interactive E-learning Platform-Based Training to Improve Intensive Care Professionals' Knowledge Regarding Central Venous Catheter-Related Infections.

Abstract

Introduction The presence of a central venous catheter (CVC) leads to a high risk for blood infections, which are associated with increases in morbidity, mortality, and costs. This study aims to assess intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' and physicians' knowledge regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for preventing CVC-related infections before and after an interactive distance education delivered through the e-learning platform Teleprometheus. Materials and methods The study was conducted among 85 nurses and physicians in Nicosia's General Hospital Intensive Care Unit (NGH-ICU) and high dependency unit (HDU). A validated questionnaire was used to assess nurses' and physicians' knowledge. Results Prior to the online interactive distance education, the mean total knowledge score was x̄ = 4.8 (SD = 2.46), while after, the mean total knowledge score increased to x̄ = 8.9 (SD = 2.38) (p<0.001). ICU physicians had a higher mean total knowledge score (x̄ = 10.20) than ICU nurses (x̄ = 8.75) after the intervention. There was no correlation between years of experience in the ICU and the level of knowledge (r = 0.048). The interactive distance education was positively evaluated by the participants, through a questionnaire, specially designed for this study. Discussion The most important findings were that (a) the level of knowledge of the participants improved with a statistically significant difference after the completion of the e-course, (b) the level of knowledge of the participants, after the completion of the e-course, was much higher from other studies, (c) there was no correlation between the years of experience of ICU health professionals and their level of knowledge, and (d) the interactive distance e-course was positively evaluated and satisfied the participants. Conclusion The current study demonstrates that in high-intensity work environments, such as ICUs, adopting e-learning approaches seems morenecessary than ever.