Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is considered as a leading cause of infection
related mortality and morbidity in intensive care units (ICUs) together with increasing the length of ICU stay and raising the cost of antibiotic treatment of VAP especially in
developing countries. Education of ICU healthcare providers is widely viewed as a
fundamental measure in reducing VAP. So, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of
educational program onknowledge regarding care bundle on prevention of ventilatorassociated
pneumonia among intensive care unit nurses.Ventilator-associated pneumonia
(VAP) is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. It is a form of nosocomial
pneumonia that occurs in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation for longer than 48
hours. Recently reported VAP rates range from 1 to 4 cases per 1000 ventilator days in
industrialized countries and up to 13 cases per 1000 ventilator days in developing countries.
VAP is the most serious health care–associated infection and is the leading cause of
morbidity and mortality from device-associated infections, especially in the intensive care
unit (ICU). Attributable mortality rate estimates vary from 10% to 65%, with a mean of
about 30%.2 Furthermore, VAP has long been recognized as a cause of prolonged ICU
stays and increased hospital costs. An increase of 7 to 9 days in ICU stay has been reported
for a patient with VAP, and Kollef et al5 reported in 2012 that the cost per patient increases
by US$40 000 when the patient has VAP. Study design: Quasi-experimental research
design was adopted in this study. Setting: the study was conducted in two intensive care
units at Meniet ELNasr Central Hospital and Dekirnis Central Hospital. Sample: A
convenience sample of all critical care nurses (100) assigned to two groups (50 for the
study group, and 50 for control group). Tools:Utilizing one tool, self-administrated
questionnaire sheet in Arabic language. It was composed of two parts (demographic data
and knowledge assessment questionnaires).Results: the present study results indicated that,
the nurses' knowledge of care bundle and ventilator-associated pneumonia was statistically
significant improved after the implementation of the educational program either
immediately or 3 months later than before its implementation in the study group.While,
there is was insignificant differences in the control group throughout the study stages.
Conclusion: the study concluded that the health education program was effective in
improving nurses' knowledge in the two post-program tests than initial survey in the study
group. Recommendation: the study recommended that the provision of continuing
education programs is suggested in order to refresh and update nurses' knowledge, as well
as reinforce proper practice related to implementation of care bundle and consequently
reducing VAP rate.