[Intensive care nurses' knowledge about the evidence-based guidelines of preventing central venous catheter related infection].
OBJECTIVE
To determine intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for preventing central venous catheter (CVC) related infection.


METHODS
We used a validated multiple-choice questionnaire which was distributed to intensive care units between October and December 2006. We collected demographic data, like gender, years of ICU experience, number of ICU beds and whether respondents hold a special degree in intensive care.


RESULTS
We collected 178 questionnaires from 11 intensive care units; the mean score was 3.66 on 10 questions (37%). Eighteen per cent knew that CVCs should be replaced on indication only, and 61% knew that this recommendation concerns also replacement over a guidewire. Recommendations for replacing pressure transducers and tubing every 4 days, and for using coated devices in patients requiring a CVC < 5 days in settings with high infection rates were recognized only by 48% and 66%, respectively. Regarding CVC dressings, 15% knew that these should be changed only when indicated and at least once weekly, and 35% recognized that both poly-urethane and gauze dressings can be recommended. Only 20% checked 2% aqueous chlorhexidine as recommended disinfection solution; 14% knew antibiotic ointments are not recommended because they trigger resistance. The recommendation to replace administration sets within 24 hours after administering lipid emulsions was recognized by 85%, but it was known by 5% only that these sets should be replaced every 96 hours when administering neither lipid emulsions nor blood products. Professional seniority and the number of intensive care beds in the ICU where nurses work showed not to be associated with better scores on the test.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge regarding CVC-related infection is poor among Hungarian nurses. Prevention guidelines should be included in the nurse education curriculum as well as in continuing refresher nursing education programs.
Csomós
Akos
A
Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar I. Sebészeti Klinika Budapest Ulloi út 78. 1082. csomos@seb1.sote.hu
Orbán
Ede
E
Konczné Réti
Rózsa
R
Vass
Erika
E
Darvas
Katalin
K
D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce