A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Nurses on Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), and to Seek Its Relationship with the Selected Factors at Selected Hospitals of Delhi and NCR

Abstract

Introduction:Ventilator associated pneumonia is one of the most frequent hospital acquired infections
occurring in intubated patients within 48 hours of endotrachial intubation[1][2]. Because VAP is associated
with higher mortality, morbidity and costs[3], there is a need to keep a check on skills and knowledge
upgrading among the healthcare professions and especially nursing personnel on regular intervals, as
they are the prime care givers to the patients in intensive care units. Several healthcare agencies have
developed evidence based guidelines to prevent nosocomial infections in healthcare settings and with
which various healthcare facilities had formulated certain care bundles to fend off VAP. [4][5][6]
Methodology: In this study the knowledge & practice of nursing personnel on prevention of Ventilator
Associated Pneumonia were assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire &structured
observational checklist. Data from three selected tertiary care hospitals of Delhi & NCR region were
analyzed &interpreted using descriptive & inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance.
Results: Majority of the nurses were found to have adequate knowledge (54%) and practice (74%)
scores. However there was no positive co-relation found for knowledge and practice of the nurses
in preventing VAP, although factors as qualification, experience of nurses &any special training on
prevention of VAP were found to have association with knowledge & practice of nurses.
Conclusion : Knowledge and practice of nurses needs to be explored so as to deliver quality care to
patients on ventilator.