Knowledge of Iranian Critical Care Nurses toward the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Systematic Review

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a serious nosocomial infection that can increase the length of stay, prolong the use of mechanical ventilation, and increase the risk of death in patients in the critical care unit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of Iranian critical care nurses toward the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a systematic review.

In this systematic review, an extensive search of databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Iranmedex, Magiran, SID and Google Scholar search engine using Persian and English keywords related to the aim of the study, was conducted from the earliest to October 17, 2020.

In total, 8 articles from 1822 studies, with 887 nurses and a mean age of 31.80±5.87 years, and work experiences of 62.04±39.48 months in critical care units, were included in this study. In six studies, the level of knowledge of nurses was insufficient. The lowest and highest levels of knowledge were related to the dimensions of "suction through tracheal tube/tracheostomy and drainage of subglottic secretions" and "selection of the appropriate patient position", respectively. In two studies, a direct relationship was reported between nurses' level of knowledge and work experience. In one study, older age was directly related to the mean score of nurses' knowledges.

The knowledge of Iranian critical care nurses toward the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia was insufficient. Therefore, it is suggested that researchers implement appropriate interventions in nurses to improve their knowledge toward prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, in future studies.