Effect of a training package for the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia using a blended online learning method on the knowledge and performance of nurses working in the intensive care unit

Background Objective: It seems necessary to provide effective training methods to nurses in preventing ventilator-associated infections. The aim of This study was assessment of the knowledge and performance of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses following a training package on the prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) using a Blended Online Learning (BOL) method. Material Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 60 nurses from the ICUs of two main hospitals in Najaf were included in the intervention and control groups. In the BOL group, a 45-minute online training session was held. Afterward, a virtual channel was formed and at a specific time, videos were shared for 5 days for further study and short questions were asked for group discussion. In the control group, two 2-hour online training sessions were held once a week. The knowledge and performance of nurses were evaluated before the intervention as well as two and four weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software with a significance level of 5%. Results: The mean values of the knowledge scores were 29.3 ± 4.7 and 29.7 ± 4.1 in the intervention group and 22.6 ± 4.6 and 20.5 ± 4.7 in the control group two and four weeks after the intervention, respectively. The mean values of the performance scores were obtained at 34.1 ± 5.4 and 33.5 ± 5.6 in the intervention group and 23.8 ± 4.6 and 24.3 ± 5.7 in the control group, respectively. The results of the repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean score of knowledge (p = 0.001) and the mean score of performance (p = 0.031). Conclusion: Training using the BOL method was effective in improving the level of knowledge and performance of nurses and can be used as a suitable training method in VAP prevention programs.