Health care workers' knowledge and practices regarding the prevention of central venous catheter-related infection

Central venous catheter-related infection (CVC-RI) is considered a common cause of increased morbidity, mortality, and medical care costs in intensive care units (ICUs). The objective in this descriptive study was to assess the knowledge of health care workers in ICUs about guidelines for the prevention of CVC-RI and their adherence to these guidelines in practices.

Health care workers were assessed for their actual practices during central venous catheter (CVC) insertion and care. Then a questionnaire was distributed to the health care workers to assess their knowledge regarding the prevention of CVC-RI.

All the health care workers (N = 100; 40 physicians, 60 nurses) in the ICUs (levels I and III and triage) of Alexandria Main University Hospital participated in the present study. The response rate was 100%. The total percentage of correct answers of the health care workers about the guidelines for the prevention of CVC-RI was low. There was no significant difference between physicians' and nurses' knowledge regarding the total score on the questionnaire (P = .134). However, physicians had a significantly higher knowledge about the pathophysiology of CVC-RI and skin antisepsis items than nurses. There were no significant differences between the knowledge of physicians and nurses in other items except for CVC care, where nurses showed significantly higher knowledge than physicians (P = .001).

The results of the present study revealed health care worker's low knowledge regarding the prevention of CVC-RI and low compliance with the standard guidelines of CVC care. Therefore, health care workers should be periodically evaluated for their knowledge and practices regarding guidelines for the prevention of CVC-RI.