Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial pneumonia is the most common nosocomial infection comprises 15 to 23 percent of all hospital-acquired infections [1]. The incidence of nosocomial pneumonia is 6 to 21 times higher in patients on ventilators [2]. Having adequate knowledge on nosocomial pneumonia prevention will improve Critical Care Nurses sensitivity to any changes in the patient's condition and also to their environment. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify knowledge deficits concerning nosocomial pneumonia prevention among critical care nurses. The study also determined whether nosocomial pneumonia knowledge was associated with nurse characteristics. Subject and method: This is a cross sectional study design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine whether nurses working in Critical Care Units in New Zealand are knowledgeable about the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia as indicated in the literature and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. A total of 117 completed questionnaires were returned with 17 responses from the pilot study were also included in the final sample, giving a sample size of 134 participants. RESULTS: The NP knowledge score ranged from 21% to 92%. The mean (and median) was 48%. Items related to knowledge about nosocomial pneumonia risks had the highest mean score (67%), compared to items addressing nosocomial pneumonia prevention (43%) or the role of devices in NP (45%). No nurse demographic or workplace characteristic was associated with nosocomial pneumonia knowledge. CONCLUSION: Several important deficits in nosocomial pneumonia knowledge were identified, with few critical care nurses having been exposed to nosocomial pneumonia prevention education, guidelines, and research. Conflict of interest and funding This study was funded by Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.