Abstract

Background: The FAST HUG BID mnemonic, introduced by Vincent, is a structured framework designed to optimize nursing care quality in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). This study evaluates the knowledge and practice of FAST HUG BID among ICU nursing officers at a tertiary care institute in Central India. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Methods: A total of 105 ICU nursing officers were assessed using a validated 30- item knowledge questionnaire and a 28-item observational practice checklist. Simple random sampling was employed, and data were collected between April and May 2024. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were performed to examine the relationship between knowledge and practice. Results: The majority of participants demonstrated good knowledge (88.6%; Mean: 22.56, SD: 3.35) and good practice (72.4%; Mean: 21.25, SD: 2.11) of FAST HUG BID. However, a weak negative correlation (r = -0.086, p = 0.382) was observed between knowledge and practice scores. No significant associations were found between demographic variables and knowledge or practice levels. Conclusions: While ICU nursing officers exhibited satisfactory knowledge and practice regarding FAST HUG BID, the knowledge-practice gap suggests a need for continuous education, structured protocols, and institutional support to enhance adherence to evidence-based critical care practices.

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