Development of ventilator associated pneumonia prevention knowledge and attitudes scale

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the nosocomial infection of lung parenchyma tissue. The role of intensive care nurses is important especially in avoiding the preventable risk factors. Despite all the guidelines formed in recent years, VAP development in intensive care units remains to be an important problem. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to develop the Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention Knowledge and Attitudes Scale. METHODS: This methodological study was conducted in two hospitals in the eastern part of Turkey between July 2016 and December 2017 with the participation of 230 nurses. RESULTS: Results showed that the 5-point Likert scale was formed with 15 items and two factors. Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was found 0.89. CONCLUSIONS: The developed scale was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool that could be used in assessing health professionals' knowledge and attitudes about ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention.