Knowledge and Awareness of Health Care Associated Infection Control Measures Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in Hospitals, Turkey

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine knowledge and awareness of health care associated infection control measures among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in Turkish hospitals using case-vignettes. 
 Material and Methods: The questionnaire form used in this study was designed and prepared by the researchers by screening the relevant literature. Informative part of the form consisted of demographic data. The question part included 5 main sections with narrative questions of case vignettes and multiple-choice items related to the vignettes. A total of 285 nurses were accessed through e-mail addresses; the survey link was then sent to the ICU nurses who accepted participation in the questionnaire. 
 Results: A total of 149 out of 285 nurses completed the questionnaire and sent filled the form online. The number of the nurses who consider screening of patients admitted to the ICUs from another health care institutions in terms of MRSA, VRE and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was 111 (74.4%), 118 (79.1%) and 93 (62.4%), respectively. The number of the nurses who thought that the hands should be rubbed with alcohol-based hand sanitizer and for 20-30 seconds was 90 (60.4%) and 95 (63.8%), respectively. In case of patients with Clostridium difficile diarrhea, the number of nurses gave the answer as the hand hygiene must be provided by washing hands with antimicrobial soap and water was twenty-six (17.4%) 
 Conclusion: The result of this study indicated that knowledge and awareness of HCAIs among ICUs nurses were not at a desired level. Our results highlight the need for education and training especially on hand hygiene to raise awareness of control of HCAIs in ICUs.