2.3. Survey
A literature search identified a tool developed specifi-
cally for measuring the flushing practices of nurses that
cared for patients who had a central venous catheter
inserted (Sona et al., 2012). This survey was based upon the
original ten-item instrument that was used for a national
survey of critical care nurses drawn from the American
Association of Critical Care Nurses (Sona et al., 2012). The
items and content were based on a literature search that
remains current and had input from clinical experts. The
authors had also tested face and content validity using a
pilot sample and expert panel. Some changes were made to
the original tool for the study conducted in Queensland, in
order to (a) make it applicable to the Australian population
(i.e. vernacular), and (b) be relevant to peripheral
intravenous catheter flushing as well as that of central
venous catheters. The final Australian survey had 25 items
(including demographics). The majority of questions
followed a multiple-choice format but did include short
response items. It was designed to take approximately
10 min to complete. The survey was conducted using an
electronic platform with licensed software (LimeSur-
veyTM). All responses were confidential and anonymous.
This survey tool was successfully piloted locally using the
electronic method of delivery before implementation.
2.4. Data collection
Following approval by both hospital and university
based Human Research Ethics Committees (NRS/19/13/
HREC), an invitation to participate in the survey was sent
out for July 2013. A reminder message was sent the
following month in the newsletter to optimise response
rate. Participants were asked to complete the survey on-
line via a web link in the electronically distributed
newsletter.
2.5. Data analysis
Survey data were exported and analysed using PASW
Statistics v.20 (SPSS Inc.). Descriptive statistics were
calculated to summarise demographics and key variables.
Data were presented for the overall sample, and then
broken down into those who reported peripheral intrave-
nous catheter flushing, and those who reported central
venous catheter flushing. There was overlap between the
respondents who replied for the peripheral and central
venous catheter sections of the survey. Cross tabulation
and differences between variables were tested using
Pearson’s chi-square.