Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of ICU Nurses on Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI)

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters (CVC). Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) is the most frequent causes of healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units (ICUs) and is a major challenge for health care providers working in intensive care units. It gives the higher risk to the mortality rate of ICU patients and also increased length of ICU stay and additional healthcare costs for them. Most international institutions published the clinical practice for the prevention of (CRBSIs) and update annually that will guide specific actions to be implemented by health care personnel who insert and handle a CVC including nurses in ICU settings who also have the direct exposure and continuous perform CVC procedures. Therefore, they should be knowledgeable and compliant in the insertion assistance, care, and maintenance of central lines. To improve the appropriate use of CVCs, in-depth knowledge, attitude and practice of ICU nurses is essential to adherence the appropriate preventive measures for Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) and reducing the CRBIs rate among the patients. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of ICU nurses regarding on catheter related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). Moreover, this study was also done to investigate the association between knowledge and attitude of ICU nurses on catheter related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and the association between knowledge and practices of ICU nurses regarding CRBSI. Methods/materials: A cross-sectional study conducted on 86 ICU nurses in two ICUs in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. A purposive sampling method was used. The tool for data collection was a questionnaire consists of 4 parts such as sociodemographic data of participants, level of knowledge, attitude and practices of ICU nurses regarding CRBSI. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) of IBM Statistical Package Social Science (SPSS) version 25. Result: 100% response rate was achieved and 94.2% of ICU nurses have a good level of knowledge, and 94.2% have a good attitude in handling patients with CVC at ICU. Moreover, 88.4% of participants had good practices based on evidence-based practice guidelines of CVC care. There was a significant association between knowledge and attitude of ICU nurses regarding CBRIs (p = 0.000) and also there was a significant association between knowledge and practices of ICU nurses regarding CBRIs (p = 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study clearly indicated that the majority of ICU nurses had good knowledge, attitude and practice regarding CBRIs in patients with CVC at Kuantan, Malaysia. However, this study was conducted in only one hospital due to time constraint using self administered questionnaires. Hence, the researcher suggested that direct observation checklists should be applied in accessing their practice for future study to reduce the bias.