Knowledge of Intensive Care Nurse on Evidence-Based Guidelines for Reducing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia at the Benghazi Medical Centre, Libya

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is an issue in intensive care units. it leads to an increased burden on the hospital, as a result of the increase in the length of stay of affected patients in hospital. Increases in cost, as well as increases in morbidity and mortality rate are all effects of VAP. ICU staffs’ knowledge of evidence-based guidelines plays an important role in VAP prevention and control.

Aim: To evaluate the critical care staff knowledge of evidence-based guidelines with regard to reducing VAP.

Methodology: This study incorporates a descriptive quantitative design. Data was collected from 45 nurses in the medical and surgical care units of the Benghazi Medical Centre using a validated questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software. The percentage of correct answers was determined and compared. In addition, Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate.

Results: The study indicated that the knowledge level of nurses was poor at 45%, and no association between their knowledge and gender. Although no statistical correlation between nurses' knowledge and their qualification, there is a slight increase in the knowledge of nurses who hold Bachelor than others. On the other hands, nurses with experience more than 11 years had a good knowledge level than those with experience less than 11 years.

Conclusion: Critical care nurses in Benghazi Medical Centre had inadequate knowledge level regarding evidence based guidelines of VAP prevention. This study recommended multifaceted educational and training programs to raise the knowledge level of ICUs medical staff.