Adherence to standard precautions in clinical nursing practice : a comparative study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of a four-day structured Basic Infection Prevention and Control course on the knowledge of, and adherence to, Standard Precautions in clinical nursing practice amongst nurses who had completed the course and those who did not. The specific precautionary measures of investigation included hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) and sharps management. The secondary aim of the study was to identify any personal and contextual factors that influenced the application of such Standard Precautions measures in public healthcare facilities within the Cape Winelands and Overberg District. Sixty eight students (those who had been trained) with a similar number of controls (who had not been trained) were enrolled in the study. Although both the participants and controls had the knowledge, their adherence to hand hygiene, PPE and sharps management in clinical nursing practice was poor. Staff attitude was found to be the main factor for non-adherence. The knowledge of the participants was good as they had answered most of the questions correctly. It seems as if there was retention of knowledge after the four-day Basic Infection Prevention and Control course. There were, however, no significant differences between the two groups. For both groups attitude and behavioural change must be addressed in order to improve adherence to hand hygiene, PPE and sharps management. The findings of the study will form recommendations towards improved infection prevention and control practices at public healthcare facility level in the Cape Winelands District.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University