Critical care nurses' compliance and barriers toward ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention guidelines: cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the compliance of critical care nurses with the ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention guidelines and the factors that affect their compliance. We also explored the barriers faced by the nurses in the implementation of these guidelines. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire containing 17 recommended strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and 15 possible barriers. All critical care nurses of varying qualifications, levels of experience, and nationalities working in adult ICUs were invited. Between January and March 2018, the questionnaire was distributed to 283 nurses at eight ICUs in five public hospitals in Almadinah Almunawwarah, KSA. RESULTS: A total of 229 invitees responded to the questionnaire. The mean compliance score was 85.9%. More than half (54%) of the sample had a high or acceptable compliance level. The lowest compliance rate was reported for the suctioning of subglottic secretions. The main reported barriers were the shortage of nursing staff, forgetfulness, and hospital cost control policies. Working in general ICUs with the capacity of 10–15 beds or prior education related to ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention influenced the nurses’ compliance. CONCLUSION: In our study, the overall compliance of the critical care nurses with the ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention guidelines is acceptable. Shortage of nursing staff, forgetfulness, and cost control policies were the main reported barriers to compliance.