THE IMPACT OF INTRODUCING A NURSING EDUCATION PROTOCOL ON THE INCIDENCE OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTIONS IN THE HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Increased virulence of Clostridium difficile and use of antimicrobial drugs in recent years represent a challenge in the treatment of these infections in healthcare institutions. Improving the overall knowledge on prevention and control of C. difficile infections (CDI) among nurses may be one strategies to help reduce the CDI incidence rate in hospital settings. Objective: The research objective was to develop, implement and evaluate a protocol for the prevention of CDI in hospital environment through nurses' education. Materials and Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental pretest–post-test design, which was carried out in tertiary care hospital, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The educational modules contained detailed description of prevention measures to prevent CDI transmission, and C. difficile toxins in faces were identified using laboratory enzyme immunoassays. Results: The research included 60 nurses. There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.001) in the evaluation of knowledge in relation to professional experience and education level before the intervention. Nurses showed highly significant (p<0.001) better knowledge about C. difficile and CDI prevention on the test after the education. Before the education of nurses and technicians on preventive measures, CDI incidence was 11.04 per 10,000 patient - days, and after the education 6.49. Conclusion: The study results showed that continuous medical education about CDI can have contribute to increasing knowledge and awareness about the importance of CDI prevention.