Situations of intensive care nurses using evidence-based guidelines in preventing central venous catheter-related infections

This descriptive study was planned and implemented in order to determine the level of evidence-based guideline knowledge of nurses in preventing central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections. The sample of the study consisted of 394 nurses working in the intensive care units in Turkey between 25.02.2021 and 01.05.2021. "Nurse Personal Information Form" and "Evidence-Based Guidelines Evaluation Test of Intensive Care Nurses in Preventing Central Venous Catheter-Related Infections" were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and comparison tests were used in the analysis of the data. The mean score of the participants' knowledge test on the prevention of central venous catheter-related infections was 5.15±2.19. It was found that the application with the most correct response (n=332) was "it is recommended to change infusion sets in which lipid emulsions are given via central venous catheter within 24 hours". In this study, it was found that the level of knowledge of the nurses about evidence-based practices in the prevention of central venous catheter-related infections was not sufficient, and the high level of education and experience increased the level of knowledge. Keywords: Central venous catheter, catheter-related infection, bloodstream infection, intensive care nurse