Informatics Publishing Limited

Abstract

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an ongoing challenge for critical care nurses as they use current evidence-based strategies to decrease its incidence and prevalence. Mechanical intubation negates effective cough reflexes and impedes mucociliary clearance of secretions, causing leakage and micro aspiration of virulent bacteria into the lungs. VAP is responsible for 90% of nosocomial infections and occurs within 48 hours of intubation. VAP is a major health care burden in terms of mortality, escalating health care costs, increased length of ventilator days and length of hospital stay.

Method: The sample was selected by using convenient sampling technique. One group pre test, post test design was used to conduct the study.

Objective: The design was adopted with primary objective to find the effectiveness of structured teaching programme by assessing the knowledge gain evaluated before and after implementing the structured teaching programme.

Results: The majority of nurses 21 (96.6%) were having inadequate knowledge on prevention of Ventilator associated pneumonia and about 9(30%) were having average knowledge. The majority 29(96.6%) of nurses were having above average knowledge on prevention of VAP and about 1(3.33%) were having average knowledge on prevention of VAP. In pre-test, 21(96.6%) were having inadequate practices on prevention of VAP. In post-test, there was good improvement in their practices.

Conclusion: The study findings revealed that majority of the respondents were not having sufficient knowledge and practices on prevention of VAP. Knowledge and practices on VAP had significantly improved after administering of structured teaching programme. The STP was found effective in increasing the knowledge and practices on VAP among critical care nurses.

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