Assessment of Nurses Knowledge and Practice about Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters at Neonatal Intensive Care Units

ABSTRACT: The peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs )have become among the most common technologies employed in the intravenous therapy of neonates as they allow safe long-term intravascular access, comfort, and ease of transition to home therapy that contributed to the increased survival of those newborns. Aim: Assess the nurses’ knowledge and practices about peripherally inserted central catheter at neonatal intensive care units Method: Descriptive research was conducted on 45 neonatal nurses working at neonatal intensive care units affiliated to Mansoura University Children Hospital (MUCH). Peripherally inserted central catheter insertion questionnaire sheet and observational checklistwas used to collect data. Results:Most studied nurses had poor knowledge and the minority had average knowledge about PICC line care for neonates. Also, more than half of nurses had competent score regarding PICC line insertion and care.Conclusion: There was variation regrading neonatal nurses' knowledge and practices regarding PICC line insertion and care.Recommendation: A regular educational program about PICC line care should be consistent for neonatal nurse