title: Knowledge of evidence-based guidelines in ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the intensive care unit nurses' knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention at Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS) hospitals, Guilan Province, northern Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 219 nurses working in 14 intensive care units at 11 Guilan hospitals. The questionnaire consisted of three parts of demographic information, nurses' knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of VAP, and the barrier for the implementation of these guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 219 nurses, 171 (response rate 78.1%) participated in this study, and their mean knowledge score was 4.6. There was no significant relation between nurses' knowledge score and their work experience (P = 0.327), education degree (P = 0.189), and their position (P = 0.168).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of knowledge regarding VAP prevention seems inadequate in this study. Although having knowledge about the principles of evidence-based care cannot guarantee the implementation of these principles, lack of knowledge may be a potential barrier to adherence to evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of VAP.
authors: Department of medical-surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Mohammadreza
authors: M
authors: Yeganeh
authors: Department of Health Education, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Yekta
authors: Department of Health Education, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Rabiollah
authors: R
authors: Farmanbar
authors: Department of Health Education, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Malahat
authors: M
authors: Khalili
authors: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Tahereh
authors: T
authors: Khaleghdoost
authors: Department of Health Education, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Atrkar Roushan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Evidence-base nursing; intensive care unit; knowledge; nursing staff hospital; ventilator-associated pneumonia