Effect of an Educational Training Program for Nurses about Infection Control Precautions in Their Practice in the Pediatric Critical Care

Abstract

Background and study aim: Infection control is essentially a clinical service directly related to improving and maintaining the quality of patient care. The aim of the present study was to identify the impact of an educational training program for nurses about infection control precautions in their practice in the pediatric critical care units. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on sample of 70 nurses. The present study was conducted at pediatric Intensive care unit & Hemodialysis unit at pediatric hospital as well as, operation rooms at pediatric surgery department in Zagazig University Hospital. Two tools were used; first a questionnaire sheet to assess nurses' knowledge and the second tool was an observational checklist used to assess nurses' practice. In addition, an educational program about infection control to improve nurses' knowledge and practice related to infection control precaution. Results: The results showed that nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge about infection control before implementation of educational program. Nurses' knowledge and practice had been improved significantly after implementation of educational program either immediately or 2 months later. Conclusion: It can be concluded that educational program had improved nurses' practice about infection control. Based on the results of the present study, In-service, training program for nurses about infection control precautions should be done. In addition, the development of infection control guidelines is essential, to be followed and available for all nurses.