Assessment of Nurses' knowledge and Practices related to Infection Control of Invasive Procedures in Neonatal Units at EL-Minia University and General Hospitals

Abstract All neonates at the neonatal units are routinely subjected to invasive procedures. Where nearly, all of them are attached to various types of invasive procedures. So infection control in a health care facility can reduce the risk of nosocomial infections, thus decreases morbidity and mortality rates, cost and burden on families, hospitals and the community as well. Aim of the study was to assess the nurses' knowledge and practices about infection control of invasive procedure in the neonatal units. This study is a descriptive study, that was conducted in the neonatal units at El-Minia University and General Hospitals. The study sample: was a convenient sample of 40 nurses (22 nurses from El-Minia University and 18 nurses from El-Minia General Hospitals). The following tools were used: 1) A structured questionnaire sheet, 2) Observation checklist sheet. Results of the study showed that half percentage of nurses' satisfactory knowledge was related to infection (50%) followed by universal precaution (35%). The satisfactory knowledge of nurses was related to suctioning (65%) followed by nasogastric tube insertion (55%). The total knowledge about infection control and invasive procedure were satisfactory in 25% of them. Conclusion nurse were lacking knowledge and practices related to infection control of invasive procedures. Recommendations a Provision of continuing education programs on regular basis is suggested in order to refresh and update nurse's knowledge, as well as reinforce proper practice related to infection control of invasive procedure in neonatal intensive care unit.