Intensive Care Nurses

This study aims to examine whether intensive care nurses' hand hygiene practices are related to the presence and amount of bacteria on their frequently used personal belongings, such as mobile phones, pens, and identification badges. Intensive care units are high-risk environments for infections because patients are often critically ill and require invasive medical procedures. Nurses have an important role in preventing the spread of infections through appropriate hand hygiene. In this study, nurses' self-reported hand hygiene compliance will be assessed, and samples will be collected from their personal belongings to identify bacterial contamination. The amount and types of bacteria found on these belongings will be examined. The study will determine whether nurses with different levels of hand hygiene compliance have differences in bacterial contamination of their personal belongings. The findings may contribute to improving infection prevention practices and developing targeted hygiene education for intensive care nurses.

Sepsis is a serious condition where the body's immune response to infection overreacts, leading to organ damage and death. Venous congestion, a buildup of blood in the veins, can occur in sepsis and contribute to organ injury. VExUS (Venous Excess Ultrasound Score) is an ultrasound method that can detect congestion early. This study examines whether ICU nurses, after training, can perform VExUS reliably, explores their experiences, and investigates links between VExUS findings and clinical outcomes.