A Needs Assessment of Bedside Nurses for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prophylaxis Education

Background and Purpose: Since the 1950’s when researchers first acknowledged gram-negative bacillus pneumonia as the key pathogenic component to hospital-acquired infections there have been many studies suggesting how ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) continues to cause increase morbidity and mortality in mechanically ventilated patients. Initiatives to mitigate this pathology have been implemented and have ranged from increasing nursing knowledge and implementation of chlorhexidine gluconate oral care to selective oropharynx decontamination prophylactic strategies. The purpose of this study was to 1) Assess the need for continual and in-depth nursing education about VAP pathophysiology and prophylactic strategies; and 2) Assess individual perception/attitude towards the prophylactic tasks. Methods: ICU nurses at St. Luke’s Phoenix Hospital were asked to volunteer in a pre-test survey followed by an education module and post-test. The survey included four knowledge-based questions and five perception/attitude assessment questions. The education module was focused on pathophysiology of VAP and proper application process of prophylactic strategies. Results: 13 nurses completed the pre/post-test and education module. Summary data of the pre-test and post-test score percentages (± SD) assessing VAP knowledge were 78.9% ± 0.27 and 98.1% ± 0.07, respectively, implying that the education module significantly improved VAP knowledge (p < 0.05, paired t-test, n = 13). On the other hand, change in perception/attitude towards VAP prophylactic tasks was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, 69.23% of the participants expressed interest in alternative techniques. Significance: Data supported an increase in nursing knowledge of VAP, suggesting a need for further education (p < 0.05). Findings suggest that the education intervention increased knowledge but did not alter perceptions/attitudes.