The effectiveness of training given to nurses for reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care patients

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study it to determine the effect of training intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental (single group, pre-test-post-test) model was used. The study was conducted in 2015, in nine adult ICUs in Istanbul, where we observed the VAP rate and trained study group nurses. Sixty nurses were given two VAP training sessions (averaging 45 min each) at intervals of 6 months. Forty-nine nurses were in the control group. Data were collected with an Introductory Information Form, a VAP Information Test, and an Application Status of VAP Preventive/Reducing Initiatives Form. The incidences of VAP in 2014 and 2015 were also compared. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, and χ 2 tests were used to evaluate the data. The values of p less than .05 were considered significant. Results: The mean-total-knowledge score increased significantly in the study group. The application of preventive/reducing initiatives also increased significantly in the study group, but in the last measurement, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The incidences of VAP decreased significantly in the study group. Conclusion: The study showed that the VAP training given to intensive care nurses increased their knowledge level and decreased the incidence of VAP in their ICUs.