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Table 2 The responses provided by ICU nurses (n = 116) to multiple-choice questions regarding VAP prevention

From: Assessment of knowledge and compliance to evidence-based guidelines for VAP prevention among ICU nurses in Tanzania

Questions

Answersn(%)

Oral vs. nasal route for endotracheal intubation

 Oral intubation is recommended

64 (55.2)

 Nasal intubation is recommended

28 (24.1)

 Both routes of intubation can be recommended

17 (14.7)

 I do not know

7 (6)

Frequency of ventilator circuit changes

 It is recommended to change circuits every 48 h (or when clinically indicated)

45 (38)

 It is recommended to change circuits every week (or when clinically indicated)

29 (25)

 It is recommended to change circuits for every new patient (or when clinically indicated)

38 (32.8)

 I do not know

4 (3.4)

Type of airway humidifier

 Heated humidifiers are recommended

38 (32.8)

 Heat and moisture exchangers are recommended

27 (23.3)

 Both types of humidifiers can be recommended

41 (35.3)

 I do not know

10 (8.6)

Frequency of humidifier changes

 It is recommended to change humidifiers every 48 h (or when clinically indicated)

74 (63.8)

 It is recommended to change humidifiers every 72 h (or when clinically indicated)

23 (19.8)

 It is recommended to change humidifiers every week (or when clinically indicated)

15 (12.9)

 I do not know

4 (3.4)

Open vs. closed suction systems

 Open suction systems are recommended

33 (28.4)

 Closed suction systems are recommended

29 (25)

 Both systems can be recommended

33 (28.4)

 I do not know

21 (18.1)

Frequency of change in suction systems

 Daily changes are recommended (or when clinically indicated)

40 (34.5)

 Weekly changes are recommended (or when clinically indicated)

26 (22.4)

 It is recommended to change systems for every new patient (or when clinically indicated)

36 (31.0)

I do not know

14 (12.1)

End otracheal tubes with extra lumen for drainage of subglottic secretions

 These endotracheal tubes reduce the risk for VAP

56 (48.3)

 These endotracheal tubes increase the risk for VAP

30 (25.9)

 These endotracheal tubes do not influence the risk for VAP

21 (18.1)

 I do not know

9 (7.8)

Kinetic vs. standard beds

 Kinetic beds increase the risk for VAP

30 (25.9)

 Kinetic beds reduce the risk for VAP

39 (33.6)

 The use of kinetic beds does not influence the risk for VAP

35 (30.2)

 I do not know

12 (10.3)

Patient positioning

 Supine positioning is recommended

17 (14.7)

 Semi-recumbent positioning is recommended

82 (70.7)

 The position of the patient does not influence the risk for VAP

12 (10.3)

 I do not know

5 (4.3)

Use of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate antiseptic oral rinse

 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate antiseptic oral rinse reduce the risk of VAP

61 (52.6)

 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate antiseptic oral rinse increase the risk of VAP

33 (28.4)

 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate antiseptic oral rinse does not influence the risk of VAP

20 (17.2)

 I do not know

2 (1.7)

  1. Mean score = 3.86, 38.6%
  2. SD = 1.57,15.7