BMJ Open · 7 authors, 3 centres
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This cross-sectional study surveyed 832 nurses in Guizhou, China, and found their practice of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) maintenance was unsatisfactory, with only 60.8% reporting acceptable practices. The practice was significantly predicted by the availability of PICC guidelines, previous training, and nurses' attitudes.
The mean practice score was 79.77±12.13, with only 60.8% of participants achieving a score considered acceptable (above 80). Multiple linear regression analysis identified three significant predictors of practice: availability of PICC guidelines (β=0.10, p=0.002), previous PICC maintenance training (β=0.18, p<0.001), and attitudes toward PICC maintenance (β=0.48, p<0.001), which together accounted for 33% of the variance. Knowledge was not a significant predictor. Limitations include potential selection bias from convenience sampling and reliance on self-reported data. The findings suggest that organizational factors like guideline access and training, along with nurses' attitudes, are key targets for improving PICC maintenance quality.
