Prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia in intensive care units: Barriers and compliance.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compliance of Jordanian nurses with ventilator‐associated pneumonia prevention guidelines and the barriers to compliance. Method: A descriptive, cross‐sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 294 nurses from nine hospitals in Jordan completed a self‐reported questionnaire. Results: According to the study compliance categories, 45.6% of the participants reported 'insufficient compliance,' 24.8% 'weak compliance' and 29.6% 'sufficient compliance.' Nurses with more experience and previous education on ventilator‐associated pneumonia reported higher compliance scores than their counterparts with less experience and no previous education. Nurses reported several barriers that limited their own compliance, such as lack of education, lack of policies and protocols, lack of resources and the shortage of staff. Conclusion: The compliance of nursing staff with the prevention guidelines was poor. Applying tailored educational programs may help improve their level of compliance. These programs must target new graduate nurses and be conducted in those hospitals with limited resources. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is known about this topic? Assessment of nurses' compliance with ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention guidelines is essential.Identifying barriers to compliance with VAP guidelines is the first step to improve the practice. What this paper adds? Compliance with VAP prevention guidelines in developing countries, such as Jordan, is still modest.Educational programs on VAP prevention improve the nurses' practice.Incidence of VAP rate should be linked to compliance rate with the prevention guidelines.Several barriers such as lack of resources and policies and shortage of staff interfere with nurses' compliance.Education and training of nurses would help to improve compliance and overcome barriers. The implications of this paper: Educating nurses in the clinical settings is imperative in order to prevent the occurrence of VAP.Providing human resources and supplies would help to prevent VAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]