Nurses' knowledge and care practices for infection prevention in neutropenic patients.

BACKGROUND: Neutropenia-associated infections can prolong hospitalization, increase re-admission, mortality and morbidity rates.

AIM: To determine nurses' knowledge and infection control care practices in neutropenic patients.

DESIGN: This descriptive study was conducted between January 2012 and May 2012, at oncology adult inpatient units of a university hospital in Turkey. Sample consisted of 51 staff nurses.

METHODS: Data were collected by a form included sociodemographic characteristics, neutropenia knowledge questions, and infection control care practices. Each nurse was observed by researcher three times for infection control care practices.

RESULTS: The mean score of nurses' knowledge was 21.3 ± 2.4 (min. 17; max. 27). For all three observations hand hygiene adherence was found low both in medication preparation, administration and vital signs assessment. Sterility disrupted in almost all preparation of parenteral medications.

CONCLUSIONS: Even nurses' knowledge related with neutropenia and care of neutropenic patient was found above average their infection control care practices were found insufficient.