The Effects of Educational Interventions on Nurses' Knowledge and Practices in Hemodialysis Unit Regarding Infection Control Practices

Abstract

Background: Nurses are considered a key element to break the chain of the infection through their adherence to standard precautions. Many factors may hinder nurses’ adherence to these precautions as; shortage of nurses, high number of patient ratio, turn-over of nursing staff, lack of staff training, inadequate supplies, patient urgency, time limits and low patients education level regarding infection control. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of educational interventions on nurses' knowledge and practices in Hemodialysis Unit regarding infection control practices. Patients and methods: A quasi-experimental research design (pretest-posttest) was utilized to fulfill the aim of the study. The study was conducted at the Hemodialysis Unit, Alexandria Fever Hospital. All nurses who were involved in providing direct care throughout the three shifts (morning, evening, night), for patients, at the above-mentioned setting, were included in the study (n=30 nurses). Results: No statistical significant relationships were detected between the studied nurses' knowledge levels and their demographic characteristics after application of the educational interventions. Statistical significant relationships were detected between the nurses' age, level of education, and their practices level after application of the educational interventions. The results of the present study highlighted that nearly two thirds of the studied nurses had poor overall knowledge and half of them had poor overall practices regarding infection prevention, and control practices before application of the educational interventions. Conclusion: Educational nursing interventions had significant positive effects on overall percent improvement of nurses’ knowledge, and practice related to infection control in Hemodialysis (HD) Unit Fever Hospital.