Volume 23, Issue 17-18 pp. 2578-2588
Original Article

Nurses' knowledge of evidence-based guidelines on the prevention of peripheral venous catheter-related infections: a multicentre survey

Giancarlo Cicolini PhD, RN, MSN

Corresponding Author

Giancarlo Cicolini PhD, RN, MSN

Nurse Director

Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy

These authors equally contributed to the present study.

Correspondence: Giancarlo Cicolini, PhD, RN, MSN, Center of Excellence on Aging, Clinical Research Center CRC-CeSI – University of “G. d'Annunzio” – Chieti, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy. Telephone: +39 0871 541355.

E-mail:[email protected]

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Valentina Simonetti RN, MSN

Valentina Simonetti RN, MSN

PhD student

Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy

These authors equally contributed to the present study.Search for more papers by this author
Dania Comparcini RN, MSN

Dania Comparcini RN, MSN

PhD student

Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy

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Sonia Labeau MNSc, PhD, RN

Sonia Labeau MNSc, PhD, RN

Professor

Faculty of Education, Health and Social Work, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium

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Stijn Blot MNSc, PhD, RN

Stijn Blot MNSc, PhD, RN

Professor

Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

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Gilda Pelusi RN, MSN

Gilda Pelusi RN, MSN

Chief Director

University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy

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Pamela Di Giovanni MD

Pamela Di Giovanni MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Pharmacy, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy

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First published: 20 December 2013
Citations: 44

Abstract

Aims and objectives

To evaluate nurses' knowledge of guidelines for preventing infections associated with peripheral venous catheters.

Background

Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections are an important tool to help healthcare professionals minimise the risk of infection. However, they are not always applied by nurses. The literature on this topic is limited, and no study examined this matter for peripheral venous catheters.

Design

This cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2011–June 2012.

Methods

The nurses' knowledge of peripheral venous catheter guidelines and its association with gender, experience, education and the ward membership was assessed using a validated questionnaire.

Results

Sixteen hospitals from six regions of Italy participated, and 933 questionnaires were collected. Most participants were female (70·1%), undergraduate (51·8%), worked in medical (35·8%) and surgical departments (28·0%), and had >10 years of experience (55·0%). The median score on 10 questions was 6 of 10.

A majority of nurses knew it is recommended to replace peripheral venous catheters routinely (90·0%), to perform an aseptic technique during connecting/disconnecting the infusive lines (55·2%), and to replace the administration set <24 hour when lipid emulsions have been infused (88·4%). Of note, 52·6% of nurses advocated the use of steel needles, a potentially dangerous practice.

In multivariate analysis, a higher level of education and the area of work were associated with better test scores.

Conclusion

The sample of nurses' knowledge to some recommendations is frequently low. This could be a potential risk factor for patient safety. The results should sensitise healthcare managers to improve nursing training and education, according to clinical risk management perspectives.

Relevance to clinical practice

These data request for more emphasis on international guidelines in infection prevention initiatives.

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