Prevención de enfermedades nosocomiales en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital General Guasmo Sur: optimización de protocolos, gestión de recursos y capacitación del personal

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are one of the leading causes of hospital mortality, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where patients are particularly vulnerable due to their critical condition and the frequent use of invasive devices. Objective: To develop a model for preventing nosocomial infections in the Intensive Care Unit of Guasmo Sur General Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 73 ICU healthcare professionals, including physicians, registered nurses, and respiratory therapists. Results: 94.5% of staff considered hand hygiene a fundamental preventive measure, while 78.1% accurately knew the suggested steps. However, 43.8% reported not using PPE correctly, and 98% said they lacked the necessary resources for their work. 66.7% rated the training received as adequate, although only 26.3% received it regularly on a quarterly basis. 43.8% of survey participants considered the protocols inefficient, and the main obstacle identified was a lack of resources (87.5%). Conclusion: There are significant gaps between the theoretical knowledge of healthcare personnel and its practical application in HAI prevention, mainly impacted by structural limitations, lack of ongoing training, and lack of institutional support.