Knowledge and Adherence of Nursing Professionals Regarding Practices to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a severe complication, with high mortality. Factors such as manipulation of the ventilatory circuit, inadequate oral hygiene, and patient positioning contribute to its occurrence. This study sought to evaluate the knowledge of nursing professionals about VAP prevention practices. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study that used a validated, translated and adapted questionnaire (M. Jansson et al., 2013) to explore nursing professionals’ (technicians and nurses) knowledge in VAP prevention. The questionnaire consists of 35 questions, and the maximum score (35) represents desirable adherence. Student’s t-tests and Spearman correlation test were applied, considering 5% significance. The sample consisted of 120 nursing professionals, 90.8% female (n = 109), with predominance of nursing technicians 65.8% (n = 79). The mean score obtained was 28±3. Mean age was 35±9 years, and mean ICU work time was 6 years. Most (76.7%; n = 92) considered the oral route the best option for intubation, aiming to prevent VAP. In addition, 56.7% (n = 68) stated they change the ventilatory circuit with each new patient; and 93.3% (n = 112) confirmed using mouthwash in patients’ oral hygiene. Questionnaire score showed positive correlation with time in the profession (r = 0.19; p = 0.04), with professional category (technician or nurse) (r = 0.19; p = 0.03), and with practices such as: humidifier change (r = 0.27; p < 0.01), circuit change (r = 0.23; p = 0.01), preference for kinetic beds (r = -0.28; p < 0.01) and closed circuit for endotracheal suction (r = -0.32; p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in total score when participants were stratified by profession (p = 0.04), as well as in practices related to patient positioning (p = 0.02) and frequency of humidifier change (p = 0.003). Nursing professionals demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge about VAP prevention, with emphasis on practices related to oral hygiene and the route of intubation. Data indicate that longer work experience and professional training are associated with better performance, suggesting that experience and qualification positively influence adherence to preventive recommendations.