Background: Continuous updates and evidence-based nursing practices are vital for quality patient care. In 2021, the Infusion Nursing Standard (INS) have updated vascular access device (VAD) guidelines. Evaluating nurses’ VAD knowledge according to these guidelines will improve caring quality, particularly for ICU patients that need a functioning VAD.
Aim: To evaluate the knowledge of ICU nurses regarding VADs according to the latest INS 2021 guidelines.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of nurses providing direct care to ICU patients. A web survey was administered using the “Nurses’ Knowledge and Self-Efficacy on Vascular Access” instrument, which assesses nurses’ knowledge and self-efficacy in relation to short (SPC) and long peripheral canula (LPC), PICC, and PORT, as for INS 2021 guidelines. The survey consisted of 32 items with four closed-answer options, of which only one was correct. Competence and skill levels were calculated by summing the correct responses and standardizing the result to 100.
Results: Some 35 nurses have enrolled, with an average age of 37 years (SD= 10.80), including 16 men and 19 women, working in UTIC, ICU and Stroke Unit. The highest adherence score (97%) has been registered for the PICC flushing technique before and after each use. The lowest result (14%) has been obtained regarding the performing method of blood sampling from a central VAD. Other positive results have been achieved in the selection of the correct placement sites for all VAD types, with score exceeding 90%. The second part of the questionnaire, which focused of nurses’ self-confidence, showed that nurses felt most confident in SPC section, followed by the PORT section, LPC, and lastly, PICC.
Conclusions: ICU nurses have a good level of competence and self-efficacy about the VAD management, adhering to the 2021 INS guidelines, although gaps have been identified in the management of SPC and some techniques and despite the high self-confidence expressed directly by nurses. Healthcare organizations should continuously monitor the ICU nurses’ competencies and skills level to implement targeted intervention and ensure the application of evidence in clinical practice, thereby improving the patients’ quality of care.