Influencing Factors on Nursing Practices for Healthcare-associated Infections Control in Intensive Care Unit

Kim, Soon Ok; Ra, Jin Suk

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study aimed to identify factors influencing nursing practices for controlling healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) among individual and organizational characteristics of registered nurses in intensive care units (ICUs).
METHODS
Participants were 210 registered nurses who worked in ICUs of general hospitals. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire regarding nursing practices across individual (sociodemographic factors, knowledge, attitude, and recognition of nursing practices) and organizational characteristics (nursing culture, workload burden, recognition of nursing practice guidelines in the working hospital) from December 1, 2016, to January 31, 2017. Factors influencing the nursing practices were analyzed via hierarchical multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
Of the individual characteristics, the factors influencing nursing practices in ICUs were work experience of less than three years (Î²=âˆ’.203, P=.002), working in medical (Î²=.149, P=.013) and surgical (Î²=.176, P=.004) wards, and recognition of the nursing practices (Î²=.590, P < .001). Of the organizational characteristics, nursing culture (Î²=.196, P < .001) and recognition of nursing practice guidelines in the working hospital (Î²=.143, P=.005) were factors influencing the nursing practices. The explanation power of these variables was 56.1% (F=28.351, P < .001).
CONCLUSION
Nurses with less than three years work experience in ICUs must be trained regarding nursing practices. Education to enhance recognition of nursing practices and positive nursing culture and guidelines for nursing practices should also be established.