Infection Control Practices in ICU: Examining Nurses’ Knowledge and Implementation Gaps in Healthcare Settings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31580/gh0jv976Keywords:
: Healthcare-associated infections, Infection control, ICU nursing practices, Nursing education, Patient safetyAbstract
Intensive care units (ICUs) are highly vulnerable to healthcare associated infections (HAIs) due to the critical condition of patients. Infection control protocols are very crucial and implemented to ensure patient safety which makes nurses holding a primary role. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of educating nurses regarding infection control practices in ICUs and explore ways to improve their training programs in order to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Following study approval, this inter-collaborative quantitative research design was conducted on 200 registered nurses working in DHQ Hospital Mirpur Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Mohi-Ud-Din Teaching Hospital. A validated scale, adapted with infection prevention-related questions, was used to collect data using a self-administered infection control knowledge questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information and pertinent questions regarding infection prevention. Means, percentages and frequencies of the responses were calculated by descriptive analysis using SPSS version 26. The respondents consisted of 70% females, with 50% in the 26–35 years age group and 30% below 25 years. A total of 87.5% of nurses demonstrated correct knowledge of hand hygiene protocols, and 82.3% were knowledgeable about the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). On the other hand, there were gaps in the advanced infection control practices, like handling of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) where only 65 % were found to have sufficient knowledge. The main finding of the study was a moderate overall knowledge level, with a high degree of variability in adherence to infection control practices. Nurses in ICU settings demonstrated foundational knowledge of infection control protocols, but significant gaps in specialized practices were present. Targeted educational interventions are necessary for improving infection prevention strategies and to improve patient safety.
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