Safi Mohamed Ahmed Eldessouki^1,, Amira Ahmed Hassanin², Aml Ahmed Mohamed Elmetwaly³

Background: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) takes place when bloodstream is invaded by bacteria or pathogens through a central venous catheter (CVC). Serious complications can result from CLABSI as sepsis, endocarditis, thrombophlebitis, prolonged hospitalization, increased mortality, and antibiotic resistance. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of implementing an educational program about central venous catheters infection prevention on knowledge and practice of nurses, and infection rate at surgical ward. Method: study were performed on a purposive sample of “50” nurses working at surgical ward of gastrointestinal surgical center (GSIC), city of Mansoura, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt, in a form of a Quasi-experimental research design. Data were collected through three tools; structured Interviewing Questionnaire (Demographic questionnaire and nurses’ knowledge questionnaire sheet regarding prevention of CLABSI), Observational checklists, Calculation of infection rate. Results: Regarding total nurses’ knowledge pre and post intervention, there were statistically significant differences, also pre and at follow up (P=0.025*, P=0.005* respectively). Total practice displayed highly statistically significant differences between pre and post intervention as well as pre intervention and at follow up phase with (P<0.001**). As well as, infection rate was 58% in the pre intervention phase which decreased in the post intervention and follow up phase (44% and 36% respectively).Conclusion: The study demonstrated that implementing an educational program significantly enhanced nurses' knowledge and practices related to CLABSI prevention. Recommendations: Periodical and continuous evaluation of nurses’ performance should be done to improve the quality of their performance.

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection CLABSI, Educational program, Infection rate, Nurses’ knowledge and practice