Abstract
BACKGROUND: Central line-associated bloods tream infections (CLABSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). AIMS: To assess the rates of CLABSIs and to investigate predictors of knowledge and compliance of registered nurses to central venous catheters (CVCs) maintenance care bundle in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational design was used. A convenient sample of 114 registered nurses was selected from three hospitals in Jordan. Nurses' knowledge and compliance were measured by previously established measures and an observational checklist developed according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). FINDINGS: The rate of CLABSI was the lowest in the hospital that applies the CVC bundle of care. Nurses' knowledge about CLABSI prevention practices was significantly correlated with their compliance to CVCs maintenance care bundle. Nurses' knowledge differed bytheirage, income, experience in ICU, and nurse-to-patient ratio, and in multiple regressions, age was the single predictor of knowledge of CLABSI prevention. Significant differences were also found in nurses' compliance to the CVC care bundle according to the hospital and nurse-to-patient ratio. The nurse-to-patient ratio was the single significant predictor, and it attenuated the effect of age and income on nurse's compliance to the CVC care bundle. CONCLUSION: This study indicated the need to expand the application of the CVC maintenance care bundle in hospitals. Programs that target promoting nurses' knowledge about CLABSI prevention and compliance to CVC care need to consider some factors, such as nurses' age and the circumstances of their work (nurse-to-patient ratio).