Knowledge and Performance of Infection Control Guidelines

Kim, Kyung Mi; Cha, Kyeong Sook; Lee, Ji Young; Yoo, So Yeon; Choi, Ok Ja; Wie, Sung Hun; Shin, Wan Shik; Kang, Moon Won

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was purposed to identify the knowledge and performance level of the infection control guidelines and to improve their performance level of infection control for those nurses who care patients directly.
METHODS
This study was based on the survey questionnaires about infection control guidelines with the total 626 nurses in Seoul and Kyunggi areas for the period between May 26, 2003 and July 14, 2003.
RESULTS
The average knowledge level of infection control was 0.84 +/-0.07 (score range 0-1) and the average performance level of the infection control was 4.44+/-10.27 (score range 0-5). The correlation between knowledge and performance of the infection control showed positive correlation (r=.39; P<.001). The knowledge and performance level of the 'Prevention of the central catheter infection' were higher than other infection control guidelines. The performance levels of the 'Prevention of the surgical site infection' were lower than other infection control guidelines. The correlation between knowledge and performance of the 'Prevention of the nosocomial pneumonia' (r=.389; P<.001). 'Prevention of the urinary tract infection' (r=.325; P<.001), 'Prevention of the central catheter infection (r=.290; P<.001) and 'Intravascular infection control' (r=.446; P<.001) showed positive correlation.
CONCLUSION
The study demonstrated that the nurses' knowledge and performance of infection control guidelines showed positive correlation. So the education on the infection control is required indispensably and it would contribute to reduce the hospital infection rate by performing the right treatment on the infection control with the basis of accurate knowledge.