# Infection prevention knowledge and perceptions: a nationwide survey among nurses and physicians in adult intensive care units in Finland

## TL;DR

This study surveyed Finnish ICU staff to assess their knowledge and perceptions of infection prevention, finding moderate knowledge but significant gaps in understanding transmission routes.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into infection prevention knowledge gaps among ICU healthcare workers in Finland.

## Key findings

- Respondents had moderately good knowledge of hand hygiene but significant gaps in understanding infection transmission routes.
- Perceptions of infection prevention were generally positive but not significantly associated with knowledge levels.
- The study highlights the need for targeted education on transmission mechanisms and prevention practices.

## Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections are a major complication of care for patients in intensive care, causing costs and additional mortality. Infection prevention practices, such as hand hygiene, have been suboptimal globally. This study aimed to explore the level of knowledge and perceptions of critical care staff regarding healthcare-associated infections as insufficient knowledge contributes to an increased burden of these infections.

A nationwide survey of physicians and nurses working in intensive care units of Finnish tertiary care hospitals was conducted to gain knowledge and explore perceptions regarding the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study data, and a mainly nonparametric method was used to compare the groups.

The respondents demonstrated moderately good knowledge of hand hygiene and infection prevention, with a median of 36 correct responses (Q1, Q3: 34, 37). However, there were notable gaps in their knowledge in infection prevention regarding the routes of infection transmission, with a median score of 4 (Q1, Q3: 4, 6). Conversely, perceptions of infection prevention were generally positive. The median score for perceptions was 51 (Q1, Q3: 47, 55), but no significant association was found between perceptions and knowledge levels.

The level of knowledge about healthcare-associated infections is not satisfactory. In particular, there is a lack of in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of infection transmission and prevention. Providing unit-tailored feedback on performance, along with education on the transmission mechanisms and infection prevention for healthcare workers is essential.