Operating Room Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice of Sterile Technique

Introduction: Nurses play an important role in the prevention and control of surgical site infections or SSI’s because they undertake a high proportion of the treatment and care of surgical patients. Sterile technique plays a vital role in the control and prevention of SSI’s and surgical site contamination. Aim: This investigation aimed to determine the knowledge and extent of practice of sterile technique among operating room nurses in four selected hospitals in Samar, Philippines. Methodology: The investigators utilized the descriptive-correlational method of research. Total enumeration was utilized to recruit respondents from four identified hospitals in Samar, Philippines, namely; Calbayog Sanitarium and Hospital, Our lady of Porziuncola Hospital Inc., St. Camillus Hospital, and Samar Provincial Hospital. Knowledge and extent of practice of sterile technique were measured through an investigators formulated questionnaire and evaluation checklist based on the concepts of sterile technique. Results: Nurses have “Excellent Knowledge” on the concepts/principles of sterile technique and applied it to a “Very Great Extent”. No correlations were found between nurses’ knowledge and extent of practice on sterile technique and their demographic variables such age, gender, length of clinical experience, and number of relevant trainings attended. However, significant relationship was found between knowledge and extent of practice of sterile technique. Conclusion: Findings suggest positive association between knowledge on sterile technique and its application. Thus nurses’ must continue to upgrade its knowledge to keep them abreast with the new trends and innovations on peri-operative nursing.