Development of a Tool for Measuring Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention Behaviors of Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) lengthens intensive care unit (ICU) stays and increases medical expenses and mortality risk. Aim: We aimed to develop and validate a tool for measuring VAP prevention behaviors among ICU nurses. Method: This is a methodological study that included a tool development step, based on the procedure suggested by DeVellis, and a tool verification step. Results: Through a literature review and focus interviews, 35 preliminary items were selected. After a content validity examination by experts and a pre-test, 30 items were chosen for this study. In the testing phase of the main survey, the final version tool was used on 452 ICU nurses to assess validity and reliability. From factor analysis, 7 factors and 17 items were selected. The factors included aspiration prevention, ventilator management, oral care, suction system management, subglottic suction, spontaneous awakening trials and spontaneous breathing trials, and standard precautions. The total determination coefficient was 71.6%. These factors were verified using convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity tests. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80); thus, the VAP prevention behavior measurement tool was proven valid and reliable. Conclusions: This tool can be used with ICU nurses to measure behaviors associated with VAP prevention and, in turn, VAP prevention measures can be improved.