Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitude regarding Evidence-Based Practices in Intensive Care Unit

Background: Nurses are increasingly requested to apply evidence into practice. Nurses need to have a positive attitude, adequate knowledge and applicable research utilization to employ evidence-based practices, promote quality of care effectively. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess nurses’ knowledge and attitude regarding evidence-based practices in intensive care unit. Research design: A descriptive exploratory research design was used to achieve the aim of this study. setting: This study was conducted at 3 intensive care units affiliated to Teba specialized hospital in Esna. Subjects: A convenient sample of all available nurses (90 nurses) working at intensive care units were included in this study. Tools: Tool (I): Self-administered questionnaire. Part (1): Demographic and work-related characteristics of the nurses: Part (II): Nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence-based practices questionnaire. Tool (II): Nurses’ attitude regarding evidence-based practices scale. Results: 71.1% of the nurses had bachelor’s degree and 65.6% occupied staff nurse position. 88.9% of the studied nurses had total unsatisfactory level of knowledge, while, only 11.1% of them had total satisfactory level of knowledge regarding evidence-based practices. 82.2% of the studied nurses had total positive attitude scores, while, 17.8% of them had total negative attitude scores regarding evidence-based practice. Conclusion: There was high statistically significant positive correlation between total knowledge scores of studied nurses and their attitude. Recommendations: Structured programs focusing on evidence-based practices principles, definitions, and practical applications should be introduced.