Knowledge and self-assessment of nurses regarding vascular catheter-related infections prophylaxis

Background. Hospital infections are a major problem for medical institutions around the world. Rational attitude of nurses towards existing threats as well as the knowledge of and compliance with the procedures that prevent the spread of biological pathogens plays a vital role in the limiting the incidence of such infections. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the professional qualifications of nurses, which will protect not only the patient but also the nurses themselves. Objectives. Determination of the level of knowledge and self-assessment of nurses regarding vascular catheter-related infections prophylaxis. Material and methods. A diagnostic poll was used as a test method and a questionnaire designed by the authors as a research tool. The statistical analysis for the paper was calculated using χ2 test. One hundred professionally active nurses participated in the study. The study was conducted in March 2016 at Zespół Opieki Zdrowotnej in Busko-Zdrój (Healthcare Center in Busko-Zdrój). Results. The data obtained showed that a very high level of knowledge on compliance with vascular infections prophylaxis procedures during professional practice was shown only by 3% of the surveyed nurses; 31% (n = 31) of them presented a high level of knowledge, and the largest number of respondents – 36% (n = 36) – a medium one. Nurses declare a very high (74%, n = 74) or high level of self-assessment (21%, n = 21) regarding compliance with vascular infections prophylaxis procedures. Based on the statistical analysis of the results, it was ascertained that the level of education of nurses differentiated level of their level of knowledge and compliance with prophylaxis procedures (p = 0.02). Conclusions. The studied nurses present very high level of self-assessment regarding their compliance with the procedures for vascular infections prophylaxis. Nurses with higher education and specialization in nursing present a higher level of compliance in this regard. Improving occupational qualifications by nurses contributes to reducing the risk of nosocomial infections and limiting their incidence.