Effect of Evidence-Based Measures protocol on Nurses' Performance regarding Prevention of Surgical Site Infection

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication of surgical procedures and the most common type of healthcare-associated
infections in low- and middle-income countries. Although, SSI prevention is complex and requires the integration of a range of measures
before, during, and after surgery; except that up to 60% of these infections are estimated to be largely preventable by using evidence-based
guidelines. Hence, as frontline caregivers, nurses can play a golden role in SSI preventing efforts through advancing their knowledge, attitude,
and practice in accordance with the latest evidence-based preventive measures of SSI. Study aim: to evaluate the effect of evidence-based
measures protocol on nurses' performance regarding prevention of surgical site infection. Study Design: a quasi-experimental
design. Setting: General surgery departments and surgical operating theater at Zagazig University Hospitals, Al Sharkia Governorate,
Egypt. Subject: A convenience sample of all available nurses (70), who are working at the previously mentioned settings. Tools: A self
administered questionnaire to assess nurses' socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge; Likert scale to assess attitudes, and observation
checklist to assess nurses' practice of evidence-based SSI preventive measures. Results: There was a lack in nurses' knowledge, positive
attitude, and practice about evidence-based preventive measures for SSI in the pre-intervention phase of the evidence-based measures protocol,
with mean±SD of 14.6±3.7,17.1 ± 8.5, and 56.7±12.2 respectively, which increased in post phase of the protocol intervention with mean±SD
of 20.2±3.9, 20.6±11, and 66.2±10.5 respectively, also there was a highly statistically significant difference and improvement in total nurses'
knowledge, attitude and practice post-intervention (p < 0.001), with a percentage of improvement equal 38%, 20.65%, and 16.89% in nurses'
knowledge, attitude, and practice respectively. Conclusions: Evidence-based measures protocol implementation had improved nurses'
knowledge that in turn had shaped their positive attitude, which results in improving nurses' practice of evidence-based preventive measures of
SSI, as each one connected with the other. Recommendations: Evidence-based preventive measures of SSI should be incorporated into
comprehensive surgical nursing quality improvement programs to improve patient safety.