Healthcare-associated infections in adult intensive care units: A multisource study examining nurses’ safety attitudes, quality of care, missed care, and nurse staffing

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study examined the association between safety attitudes, quality of care, missed care, nurse staffing levels, and the rate of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in adult intensive care units (ICUs). MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in five hospitals. Nurses completed a validated survey on safety attitudes, quality of care, missed care, nurse staffing levels, and the frequency of HAIs. Secondary data were collected on the incidence of central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in participating units. Descriptive analysis and generalized linear models were performed. ResultsA total of 314 nurses from eight ICUs participated in this study. The mean safety culture score was 60.85 (SD = 3.53). ICUs with strong job satisfaction had lower incidence and nurse-reported frequency of CLABSI, CAUTI, and VAP. Missed care was common, with 73.11% of nurses reporting missing at least one required care activity on their last shift. The mean patient-to-nurse ratio was 1.95. Increased missed care and higher workload were associated with higher HAIs. Nurses’ perceptions of CLABSI and VAP frequency were positively associated with the actual occurrence of CLABSI and VAP in participating units. ConclusionPositive safety culture and better nurse staffing levels can lower the rates of HAIs in ICUs. Improvements to nurse staffing will reduce nursing workloads, which may reduce missed care, increase job satisfaction, and, ultimately, reduce HAIs. Implications for clinical practiceHigher levels of job satisfaction among ICU nurses, lower proportions of missed nursing care and higher nurse staffing are associated with lower rates of HAIs. Nurse-reported HAI frequency was positively associated with the incidence of HAIs; therefore, nurses provide reliable data on infection control outcomes in ICU settings.