Rehabilitation Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors for Preventing Urinary Tract Infections From Intermittent Catheterization.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop and examine the reliability of a survey to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) of rehabilitation nurses for preventing urinary tract infections in persons requiring intermittent catheterization.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey with principal component analysis.

METHODS: Survey development and administration based on national guidelines.

FINDINGS: Principal component analysis produced three reliable components of KAB explaining 54.5% of response variance. Results indicate that nurses report adequate knowledge and training. Although the facility had an evidence-based online catheterization procedure, staff reported that the procedure was not helpful nor useable. Twenty-eight percent incorrectly identified the root cause of urinary tract infection, and 45% reported that other nurses always washed their hands. Barriers to using standard intermittent catheterization technique were staff, time, and patient variables.

CONCLUSION: The modified survey is a reliable measure of KAB.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The survey assists with identifying knowledge gaps, customizing education, and changing practice.