Abstract

BAEZ FIGUEREDO, RM  and  SAMUDIO, M. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of nursing staff about preventive measures for pneumonias associated with mechanical ventilation in the adult intensive care unit of the Social Security Institute. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.1, pp.22-30. ISSN 1812-9528.

The nursing staff has a key role in the prevention and control of nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the prevention of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation (NAV) in nurses from the Adult Intensive Care Unit of the Social Security Institute (IPS in Spanish) in 2009. This was an observational cross-sectional study; data collection was made through a multiple choice KAP survey and a convenience sampling of nurses that accepted to participate was used. The variables analyzed were knowledge level of the management of artificial airway, disinfection methods of intubation devices, position of patient and attitudinal aspects analyzed were about the importance of compliance as well as aspects related to the implementation of the protocols. Study participants were 36 of the 70 nurses in the unit, of which 41.7% had adequate knowledge about preventive measures and responded properly 5 to 6 of the 10 questions, 19.4% of the nurses answered correctly 7 to 9 questions and not a single participant showed absolute knowledge on prevention of the ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Although the results showed a deficit in the degree of knowledge, the attitude displayed was positive. Indicators related to practice demonstrated a need to improve knowledge about preventive measures by implementing a continuous education strategy for these professionals.

Keywords : prevention; ventilator associated pneumonia; nursing; KAP.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )