A Survey of Adherence to Guidelines to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Iranian Intensive Care Units
نویسندگان
1 Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IR Iran
2 Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences-International Campus, Tehran, IR Iran
3 Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
4 Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
doi
چکیده
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are acquired by patients while receiving care. The highest incidence of HAIshas been documented in admissions to intensive care units. Adherence to evidence-based practices is the most important step forpreventing HAIs.Objectives: To determine the rate of adherence to evidence-based post-insertion recommended care practices after admission intothe intensive care unit for the following devices: central line catheter, indwelling urinary catheter, and mechanical ventilator.Patients and Methods: A structured observational cross-sectional research design was used. Data were collected using a checklistand a self-report questionnaire. The minimum sample size required for this study was 276 post-insertion care episodes, and 332episodes were observed. TheANOVA test was used to identify any significant differences among themean scores of the three devices.Results: Overall observed adherence rates were 18.3%, 59.1%, and 43.1% for central line catheters, indwelling urinary catheter, andmechanical ventilator, respectively. Of the observed episodes of device care, only in 9.4% of the episodes was regular oral care performedfor patients on mechanical ventilators and only in 19.3% of the episodes were indwelling urinary catheters properly secureafter insertion. More so, in none (0.0%) of the episodes was the central line catheter hub disinfected before being accessed.Conclusions: Evidence-based post-insertion recommended care practices were not consistently and uniformly implemented inthe intensive care units. Establishment of a program for the surveillance of adherence to recommended guidelines is required forimproving compliance by health professionals and the quality of preventive care.
