Purpose: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses regarding acute skin failure (ASF) and analyse the influencing factors thereof.
Methods: From 22 December 2023 to 24 January 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted amongst ICU nurses from 21 hospitals in eight provinces in China. The ASF knowledge, attitude and practice scores were determined using questionnaires, and multiple linear regression was used for further analysis.
Results: Overall, 304 ICU nurses completed the survey. The knowledge, attitude and practice scores were 24.89 ± 10.93, 40.67 ± 5.93 and 43.47 ± 9.19, with scoring rates of 45.25%, 81.34% and 72.45%, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that being a wound ostomy specialist nurse was positively correlated with the knowledge dimension score (p < 0.05). Nurses' professional titles significantly affected attitude scores (p < 0.05); the higher the professional title, the more positive the attitude towards ASF.
Conclusion: The attitudes and practices of ICU nurses in China towards ASF were found to be positive; however, their knowledge levels need improvement. Nursing managers should conduct targeted training, especially for entry-level nurses.
Keywords: clinical competence; health knowledge, attitudes, practice; intensive care units; nursing care; skin.
© 2025 The Author(s). International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.