Nurses’ Knowledge, Practices, And Compliance in Surgical Site Infection Prevention And Control: Basis for a Sustainable Infection Control Plan

Abstract

This study investigated nurses’ knowledge, practices, and compliance regarding Surgical Site Infection (SSI) prevention in public and private hospitals across Dipolog and Dapitan City, Philippines. Using a quantitative-correlational design, data were gathered from a respondent pool predominantly consisting of young, female nurses with 1 to 3 years of experience and minimal training. Statistical analysis, including weighted mean and spearman’s rank-order correlation, examined the relationships between these variables to establish a basis for a sustainable infection control plan. The findings revealed that while nurses possess high knowledge and overall compliance, particularly in post-operative antibiotic stewardship, critical inconsistencies persist in foundational hygiene during the preoperative phase. However, a deficiency was exhibited in practices of the basic pre-operative hygiene. The results revealed a paradox: while nurses possess a high level of knowledge, their practices reflect a corresponding gap in compliance. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) was employed as a development tool to assist in achieving positive outcomes from efforts to change clinical habit. The approach involved using checklists to implement system changes and facilitate habit formation by leveraging the environment to promote peer accountability. By using a PDSA to address demographic variables and reinforce gap closure in protocols and practices, health care organizations will be able to maintain theoretical knowledge and apply it at the bedside as nurses.