Level of Knowledge and Extent of Practice of Intensive Care Unit Nurses on Healthcare-Associated Infections' Bundle of Care: Basis for Competency Program

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major patient-safety concern in critical care, where invasive devices increase infection risk and consistent bundle implementation depends heavily on nursing knowledge and practice. This study determined the level of knowledge and extent of practice of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses on HAI bundles for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), surgical site infection (SSI), and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in a selected private tertiary hospital in Manila and used the findings as basis for a competency program. A descriptive quantitative correlational design was employed among 30 ICU nurses selected through purposive sampling from medical, surgical, pediatric, and neonatal ICUs. An adapted and modified Institute for Healthcare Improvement questionnaire, validated by experts, measured participant profile, knowledge, and practice. Frequency, percentage, McDonald’s percent score, weighted mean, Pearson correlation, and chi-square were used. Overall knowledge was moderate (73%); SSI scored highest (79%) and CLABSI lowest (64%). Practice was high overall (grand mean = 4.50), with CAUTI (4.73) and VAP (4.71) at the fullest extent and CLABSI (4.41) and SSI (4.15) at the full extent. Age and hospital experience were significantly related to both knowledge and practice, whereas gender, clinical area, and training attendance were not. Knowledge-practice correlations were significant for VAP, SSI, and CLABSI, but not for CAUTI. The findings support institutionalizing a structured HAI Bundle of Care Competency Program and quarterly compliance audits to strengthen evidence-based nursing practice and patient safety.