Knowledge and practice regarding cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical instruments among nursing students at Nguyen Tat Thanh University

Abstract

This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge and practice of nursing students in the initial processing of reusable medical instruments at Nguyen Tat Thanh University. A total of 285 students undertaking hospital internships from April to July 2025 were surveyed. The findings showed that 61.1% of students had good knowledge, while only 45.6% demonstrated good practice in regarding cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical instruments. No significant differences were observed by gender or age, but final-year students performed better than third-year students (p < 0.05). The results highlight a gap between knowledge and practice, suggesting that theoretical learning alone is insufficient for effective application. Strengthened supervision, updated guidelines, and targeted training are recommended to improve student competence, reduce healthcare-associated infection risks, and promote evidence-based nursing care.