ABSTRACT
Background and objective Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), especially central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), are among the most critical public health problems worldwide. Knowledge, attitude, and skills of nurses are vital in HAI prevention. In this study, we aimed to assess nurses' knowledge, skills, and compliance related to CLABSI. Method This study was conducted in a heart center as a prospective interventional study. Eighty nurses were selected after obtaining their consent to participate in the pretest, posttest, and skills review. Qualified nurses registered with the Saudi Council and working for at least one month in the relevant unit at the time of the study were included. Nurse managers, interns, and student nurses were excluded. Nurses' skills were analyzed using a competency-based checklist approved by the hospital. Results We enrolled 80 participants in our study. The majority of the participants (51.25%) fell under the age group of 25-34 years. There were 68 females (85%). Participants with an experience of 6-10 years constituted the biggest proportion (37.5%) in the cohort in terms of work experience. The mean CLABSI knowledge-related pretest and posttest scores were 6.7 ±1.09 and 6.8 ±1.11, respectively, while the CLABSI compliance scores were 8.1 ±0.99 and 8.3 ±0.97, respectively. Conclusion Based on our findings, clinical experience of more than five years is associated with good CLABSI knowledge and compliance among nurses. Nurses' level of education also had a significant relationship with CLABSI pretest and posttest scores.
