Development and Content Validity of a Questionnaire on Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Maintenance and Knowledge of Nursing Professionals Regarding Best Practices.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to develop a questionnaire on peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) maintenance, evaluate its content validity, and assess factors influencing the level of knowledge of nursing professionals regarding best practices.The study was conducted in 3 stages: (1) development of a questionnaire on PIVC maintenance; (2) content validity assessment by experts with assessment of comprehensiveness, relevance, and clarity; and (3) application of the questionnaire to 1493 nursing professionals. Relationships between personal characteristics and knowledge levels were evaluated. The questionnaire score ranged from 0 to 26. The participants obtained a mean score of 13.7 (SD, 2.4). Factors associated with a higher knowledge level included higher educational level, training on PIVC maintenance upon admission, and employment in an institution with recurrent PIVC maintenance training. Gaps in knowledge included the recommended technique for active disinfection, how catheter stabilization should be performed, recommended technique for flushing and minimizing blood reflux into the catheter, appropriate frequency for assessing the insertion site of the catheter, and signs of catheter complications. A questionnaire for assessing knowledge of best practices in PIVC maintenance was developed and had adequate evidence of content validity. Aspects related to greater education were associated with a higher knowledge level. Knowledge gaps were identified.