Nurses’ Knowledge and Performance Regarding Infection Control Measures in Processing of Laryngoscope of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 faculty of nursing, Mansoura university

2 faculty of nursing

Abstract

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit is one of the most infection-prone areas in the hospital. The laryngoscope
is identified as a potential vector for cross-infection. So, assessing knowledge and performance of NICU nurses is
baseline to improve well-being of patients. Aim: This study aimed to assess the nurses' knowledge and performance
regarding infection control measures in processing of laryngoscope of neonatal intensive care unit. Method: A
descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized in this study. Setting: study was conducted at Mansoura Specialized
Hospital at Mansoura city on a convenient sample of (35) nurses working in the NICU. Tools: Three tools were used to
collect data as the following: nurses’ demographic and occupational characteristics questionnaire sheet, nurse’s
knowledge about infection control measures toward laryngoscope processing and observational checklist. Results: The
overall total knowledge score revealed that (60%) of nurses showed a poor score level of knowledge with a mean of
14.4(4.33). A few percentages of nurses had competent perform hand hygiene, wear personal protective equipment,
sharp and waste disposal (2.9%, 0% and 0% respectively). Moreover, there was significant relation between nurses'
educational level and total knowledge score. While there was no relation between nurses' occupational characteristics and
total performance score related infection control measure in laryngoscopy. Conclusion: Nurses had a poor score level of
knowledge in addition, inadequate performance regarding infection control measures in processing of laryngoscope.
Recommendation: Continuous educational programs to keep nurses in neonatal intensive care units updated with the
evidence based practices and carry interventions for reducing infection among children.

Keywords