Knowledge of nurses on preventing the spread of Clostridium difficile infection

Abstract

Introduction. Nosocomial infections affect all healthcare facilities around the world. Despite the development of medicine, they pose a great threat not only to hospitalized patients, but also to healthcare professionals and people visiting the facility. Healthcare-associated infections worsen the course of the underlying disease, prolong the length of the patient's stay, increase the cost of treatment and increase patient mortality. The wide spread of the infection can lead to the closure of the ward or hospital.

Aim. The aim of the study is to assess the level of knowledge of nurses about the spread of Clostridium difficile infection.

Material and methods. The subject of the research is the knowledge of nurses about the spread of Clostridium difficile infection. For the purposes of the study, the diagnostic survey method was used, and the research tool was the author's questionnaire.

Results. The level of knowledge was the highest in the group of people aged 41-50, and the lowest in the group of people aged up to 30. The relationship between the level of knowledge on the spread of infection with the Clostridium difficile bacterium and work experience was demonstrated. It was observed that the level of knowledge was the highest in the group of people working for over 20 years, the lowest in the group of people working for up to 5 years. The relationship between the state of knowledge about the spread of Clostridium difficile infection and the assessment of one's own knowledge deficit was demonstrated. It was observed that the level of knowledge was the highest in the group of people assessing the deficit of their knowledge in the field of Clostridium difficile infection itself, and the lowest in the group of people assessing the deficit of their knowledge in the field of hygiene.

Conclusions. The analysis of the results of the conducted research confirmed that seniority and professional title have a positive impact on the knowledge of procedures among the staff. The surveyed nurses are well prepared to work with patients infected with Clostridium difficile.