Nashi Masnad Alreshidi^1,, Saud Abdullah Aljanfawi², Omar Hamad Alshammari², Seham Eshawi Alshmmary², Malak Khalaf Alanezy², Jamie Bethel Maglambayan², Shouq Alenzi²

The escalating rates of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (MDR-AB) outbreaks in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) globally are a pressing healthcare challenge. The present study assesses the nurse’s perception on efficacy of contact precautions in inhibiting such outbreaks and the compliance of ICU nursing staff to these precautions. Assuming that effective training, reinforcement, and implementation of contact precautions are key to combating MDR-AB outbreaks, a cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a hybrid structured survey administered among ICU nursing staff (n = 130) in four major hospitals in the Hail region with 102 nurses responded for the study garnering 0.78%. The results underscored the crucial role of age, gender, and recent training in influencing healthcare professionals' compliance. Female and younger professionals (30 years or below) demonstrated significantly higher compliance rates. The universal use of personal protective equipment (PPE), a cornerstone of contact precautions, was also highlighted across all demographic and professional groups. The study concluded that while high compliance rates provide a promising outlook for preventing MDR-AB outbreaks, institutional support, resource allocation, and continuous training are paramount. Implementing the proposed recommendations, including enhanced education and training, effective resource allocation, and strong safety culture, could significantly enhance the effectiveness of contact precautions. The findings thus advocate for a comprehensive approach, integrating individual compliance and institutional support, to combat MDR-AB outbreaks in ICU settings.

multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii, contact precautions, nurses, Intensive Care Units, personal protective equipment