Knowledge And Compliance On The Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) Care Bundles Of Medical-Surgical Nurses

Abstract

This study investigated the knowledge and compliance of medical-surgical nurses regarding Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia care bundles in private hospitals in Naga City, Philippines. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved 172 nurses assigned in areas where mechanically ventilated patients are commonly managed, including intensive care units, emergency departments, and medical-surgical wards. A structured questionnaire was used to determine nurses’ level of knowledge and extent of compliance with key VAP care bundle components, including head-of-bed elevation, oral care, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, sedation assessment with spontaneous breathing trials, and stress ulcer prophylaxis. Findings revealed that nurses generally demonstrated moderate knowledge and varied compliance, with stronger performance in head-of-bed elevation, oral care, and stress ulcer prophylaxis, but lower knowledge and compliance in sedation assessment, spontaneous breathing trials, and DVT prophylaxis. A significant positive relationship was found between knowledge and compliance, indicating that higher knowledge levels were associated with better adherence to VAP prevention practices. The study concluded that targeted health training, policy reinforcement, and interprofessional collaboration are necessary to strengthen compliance with VAP care bundles and reduce VAP incidence.