Quality control circle activities to improve patients’ compliance to headofbed elevation

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of implementing quality control circle (QCC) activities on nurses’ knowledge about ventilatorassociated infection(VAP), as well as headofbed (HOB) elevation and incidence of VAP in patients.  Methods100 patients who used ventilators in an intensive care unit(ICU)  of a hospital were randomly selected, 50 patients were selected before the implementation of QCC(JanuaryJune, 2013), and 50 were selected after the implementation of QCC (JulyDecember, 2103). Condition of nurses and patients who used ventilators before and after implementation of QCC were investigated. ResultsAfter implementing QCC,the scores of nurses’ recognition on knowledge about causes and risks of VAP, significance and standard of  HOB elevation, and  HOB elevation≥ 30°  were all higher than before implementing QCC; the total score was higher than before implementing QCC (［18.32±3.14］ vs ［7.98±1.12］, P<0.05); patients’ compliance to HOB elevation was higher than before implementing QCC(［96.00%, n=48］ vs ［44.00%, n=22］,P<0.05）; incidence of VAP was lower than before implementing QCC (［4.00%,n=2］ vs ［36.00%,n=18］,P<0.05). ConclusionImplementation of QCC activities can effectively improve ICU nurses’ recognition on knowledge about VAP and enhance patients’ compliance to HOB elevation, as well as reduce the incidence of VAP,it is helpful for improving healthcareassociated infection management quality.