Effectiveness of Education and Quality Control Work Group Focusing on Nursing Practices for Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Wantana Pethyoung RN*, Wilawan Picheansathian MPH**, Pikul Boonchuang RN**, Anucha Apisarnthanarak MD***, Somwang Danchaivijitr MD****
Affiliation : *Surat Thani Hospital, Surat Thani, **Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ***Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasart University Hospital, Pathum Thani, ****Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objectives : To evaluate the effectiveness of education and quality control work group focusing on nursing
practices for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Materials and Methods : A quasi-experimental study was performed to evaluate the effect of education and
quality control work group on prevention of VAP by 18 nurses in the womens’ medical ward, Surat Thani
Hospital, Thailand. Pre-intervention nursing practices were observed in March, 2002, followed by interven-
tions in April 2002 and two post-tests on nursing practices in May 2002 and July 2002. Interventions
included education and quality control work group focusing on nursing practices on prevention of VAP. Each
observation period lasted for one month. Research instruments included a demographic data collection form,
a quality control circle teaching plan, an evaluation manual and an observational recording form.
Results : After the intervention, significant improvement on nursing practices for prevention of VAP was
observed in the first (60% vs. 85%; P<0.001) and the second month (60% vs. 91%; P<0.001) post-interven-
tion. Compliance to nursing practice guidelines among the participants were also increased in all practice
categories (87% vs. 98%; P<0.001).
Conclusion : The present study suggests the positive roles of education and quality control work group to
improve nursing practices for preventions of VAP. Additional studies are needed to examine the long-term
effects of these interventions.
Keywords : Education, Quality control work group, Prevention, Ventilator-associated pneumonia, Nursing practices
