Achieving consensus on the curriculum system for central sterile supply department nurses: a modified Delphi study

Enhancing the core competencies of Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) nurses is of paramount importance, as these professionals serve as the frontline defense against healthcare-associated infections. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop an evidence-based training framework for CSSD specialists to provide a standardized benchmark for continuous professional development in the CSSD field.

The initial development of the CSSD nurse training system involved an extensive literature review and expert group discussions. From April to June 2024, two rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted, consulting 25 experts in relevant fields from nine provinces across China to reach consensus on the index system. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Consensus thresholds were defined as a mean score of ≥3.5, a coefficient of variation of <0.25, and a full-score percentage of ≥70%.

The response rates for the two rounds of expert consultation were 92.59 and 100%, respectively, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.912. In the first round, 13 items were revised, 4 deleted, 2 repositioned, and 20 added; no changes were made in the second round. This resulted in a training process index system comprising 5 first-level, 12 s-level, and 50 third-level indicators, and a training content index system comprising 4 first-level, 24 s-level, and 107 third-level indicators. Kendall's W coefficients for the training process and training content increased from 0.199 and 0.187 in the first round to 0.227 and 0.218 in the second round (p < 0.001), indicating improved expert consensus.

This training index system is both scientifically sound and reliable, offering a valuable reference for specialist nurse selection, curriculum design, and quality assurance in CSSD training programs.