Factors influencing compliance to the infection control precautions among nurses and physicians in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Standard precautions compliance and its associated factors among nurses in Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, with many nurses being infected, understanding compliance with standard precautions (SP) among nurses in Kazakhstan is crucial for improving infection prevention and control and preparedness for future emergencies. The study aimed to assess Kazakh nurses' SP compliance amid the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the factors associated with their compliance.

METHODS

Quantitative, cross-sectional design. This research surveyed 241 clinical nurses in Astana, Kazakhstan using a standardized tool from December 2021 to April 2022.

RESULTS

This study found 76.0% SP compliance among the nurses. The highest compliance was observed in the dimension "Decontamination of spills and used articles" (86.0% compliance rate), followed by "Use of protective devices" (83.5% compliance rate), "Prevention of cross-infection from person to person" (72.7% compliance rate), "Disposal of sharps" (65.4% compliance rate), and "Disposal of waste" (56.0% compliance rate). Nurses' age and educational qualification influences the nurses' SP compliance.

DISCUSSION

While the nurses' compliance rate in this study was moderate, specific areas warrant more attention, such as their compliance with proper waste and sharps disposal.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted the experiences of nurses in Kazakhstan on their compliance with SP during the pandemic.

A retrospective study of the predictors of mortality among patients in intensive care units at North West-Bank hospitals in Palestine

OBJECTIVES

The intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rate remains high, especially in developing countries, regardless of the advances in critical management. There is a lack of studies about mortality causes in hospitals and particularly ICUs in Palestine.This study evaluated the demographic and clinical characteristics of critically ill patients and determined the predictors of mortality among patients in the ICU.

METHODS

A retrospective study assessed all patients who stayed in the ICU for more than 24 h from January 2017 to January 2019. Data were collected from the patient's files. Patient characteristics (background, clinical variables, and comorbidities) were recorded.

RESULTS

The study included 227 eligible ICU patients. The cases' mean age was 55.5 (SD ± 18.2) years. The overall ICU mortality rate was 31.7%. The following factors were associated with high adjusted mortality odds: admission from inside the hospital (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9, p < 0.05), creatinine level ≥2 mg/dl on admission (aOR, 2.7, 95% CI: 1.3-5.8, p < 0.01), hematology malignancy patients (aOR, 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6-6.7, p = 0.001), immune-compromised (aOR, 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3-4.7, p < 0.01), septic shock (aOR, 27.1, 95% CI: 7.9-88.3, p < 0.001), hospital-acquired infections (aOR: 13.4, 95% CI: 4.1-57.1, p < 0.001), and patients with multiple-source infection (aOR: 16.3, 95% CI: 6.4-57.1, p < 0.001). Also, high SOFA and APACHE scores predicted morality (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The mortality rate among ICU patients was high. It was higher among those admitted from the hospital wards, septic shock, hospital-acquired infection, multiple infection sources, and multi-drug resistance infections. Thus, strategies should be developed to enhance the ICU environment and provide sufficient resources to minimize the effects of these predictors.

Health and safety of health workers in the Suame Municipality of Ghana - Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 outbreak in infection prevention and control for future pandemics

Objectives

Effective adherence to infection prevention and control practices is needed to reduce the rate of healthcare-acquired infections among healthcare workers. Policies to control healthcare-acquired infections among healthcare workers can be designed and implemented using information on adherence to infection prevention and control practices adherence and its determinants. This study, therefore, sought to assess the adherence to infection prevention and control practices among healthcare workers during the 2019 Coronavirus disease pandemic.

Methods

A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 randomly selected healthcare workers in four health facilities in the Suame Municipality, Ghana. Data on participants' socio-demographics, knowledge of infection prevention and control practices and adherence to infection prevention and control practices were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of demographic characteristics and knowledge of infection prevention and control on adherence to infection prevention and control practices among study participants.

Results

Over three-quarters (75.9%) of the study participants had adequate knowledge of infection prevention and control practices with a significant knowledge gap in the colour coding of bin liners for waste segregation (35.6%). The proportion of study participants who reported good adherence to infection prevention and control practices was 86.7%. Healthcare workers who were 33 years and above (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.27; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.08-0.92) and absence of an infection prevention and control committee at the facility AOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.08-0.73) had reduced odds of good adherence to infection prevention and control practices. Nursing staff (AOR: 9.49, 95% CI: 2.51-35.87) and having adequate knowledge of infection prevention and control practices (AOR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.19-5.97) were associated with increased odds of good adherence to infection prevention and control practices.

Conclusion

Adherence to infection prevention and control practices was high among this sample of Ghanaian healthcare workers. Interventions and strategies to improve adherence should include the setting up of infection prevention and control committees, education and strict observance of colour coding of bin liners for waste segregation and intensification of training of healthcare workers in infection prevention and control practices.

A multi-institute, follow-up, observational study measuring nursing students' adherence to infection prevention and control protocols in Saudi Arabia

Background

Nursing students learn principles of infection prevention and control (IPC) and hand hygiene (HH) in clinical courses, and their learning is reflected in their practice.

Objectives

The knowledge, attitude, and practice of principles of IPC and HH of the students were measured prior to and after attending an educational workshop. The adherence of the students to the IPC and HH protocols at the hospital was also observed.

Methods

This study included a pretest-posttest time series follow-up and an observational part. During the first part of the study, students attended a workshop, which was preceded by a pretest. It was then followed by a posttest directly after finishing the workshop and in 12 weeks. Participants were submitted to an observational part by a trained observer to document certain skills taught earlier during the workshop.

Settings

Students from three nursing schools in Saudi Arabia participated in the study.

Participants

A total number of 130 completed the study protocol, and 100 completed the observation part.

Results

Students were found to experience an improvement in their knowledge, beliefs, and commitment scales after the workshop. The attitude scale remained relatively unchanged over different tests. Most students performed the skills properly and adequately, but some failed to perform certain skills, like hand rub, and the proper use of disinfectants.

An Agreement Among Nurse Educators on Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Ensure Safe Clinical Training Post-COVID-19

Background

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices during nursing students' clinical training are based on standardized precautions. However, the spread of COVID-19 raised the need to revise these practices. We aimed in this study to assess nurse educators' agreement on items that represent precautionary guidelines, which enhance safety during clinical training of students. It aimed to reach an agreement among nurse educators on IPC practices to ensure safe clinical training.

Materials and Methods

This descriptive explorative, cross-sectional study included 243 Jordanian and Omani educators. The study questionnaire was based mainly on evidence reported in the literature. The study questionnaire comprised items for trainers to practice and items to supervise students. It was developed based on available evidence and recommended training practices during COVID-19 suggested by the WHO and the literature. Both the face and content validity processes were adopted to validate the study questionnaire. The final version was composed of 26 items for trainers and 20 items for students subsumed in the following themes: protecting self, protecting others, and essential training needs.

Results

All questionnaire items were rated above the midpoint indicating agreement among participants on including the new IPC practices. All suggested practices (26 items for the trainers and 20 items for the students) were supported by the study participants.

Conclusions

Clinical training is an important component of nursing students' preparation. Findings suggest the importance of adding new IPC practices to improve student IPC practices, protect themselves and others, minimize cross-infections, and enhance students' training within a safe clinical environment.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward infection control precautions among nurses in Palestinian hospitals

OBJECTIVES

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are common complications in healthcare services, often caused by unsystematic antibiotic use. Despite advancements in medical care and technologies, the burden of HAIs continues to increase globally. Thus, this study purposed to evaluate the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward infection control precautions among nurses in Palestinian hospitals and identify the predictors of practices of infection control precautions.

METHODS

A cross‑sectional study was conducted on 285 nurses who work at Palestinian hospitals in the West Bank. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data during the period from November 2022 to January 2023.

RESULTS

The results revealed that 95.8 % of the participants endorsed good knowledge levels, 83.5 % reported positive attitude levels, and 91.2 % endorsed good practice levels toward infection control precautions. Also, gender as being female, attending a training program on infection control, and having good knowledge of infection control precautions were the main factors influencing practices of infection control precautions.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to maintain nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward infection control precautions by continuously conducting training workshops about infection control updating knowledge, and enhancing the work environment by implementing infection control policies and guidelines and providing sufficient resources and equipment to ensure safe practices.

Factors contributing to healthcare professionals' adaptive capacity with hospital standardization: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Certain factors contribute to healthcare professionals' adaptive capacities towards risks, challenges, and changes such as attitudes, stress, motivation, cognitive capacity, group norms, and teamwork. However, there is limited evidence as to factors that contribute to healthcare professionals' adaptive capacity towards hospital standardization. This scoping review aimed to identify and map the factors contributing to healthcare professionals' adaptive capacity with hospital standardization.

METHODS

Scoping review methodology was used. We searched six academic databases to September 2021 for peer-reviewed articles in English. We also reviewed grey literature sources and the reference lists of included studies. Quantitative and qualitative studies were included if they focused on factors influencing how healthcare professionals adapted towards hospital standardization such as guidelines, procedures, and strategies linked to clinical practice. Two researchers conducted a three-stage screening process and extracted data on study characteristics, hospital standardization practices and factors contributing to healthcare professionals' adaptive capacity. Study quality was not assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 57 studies were included. Factors contributing to healthcare professionals' adaptive capacity were identified in numerous standardization practices ranging from hand hygiene and personal protective equipment to clinical guidelines or protocols on for example asthma, pneumonia, antimicrobial prophylaxis, or cancer. The factors were grouped in eight categories: (1) psychological and emotional, (2) cognitive, (3) motivational, (4) knowledge and experience, (5) professional role, (6) risk management, (7) patient and family, and (8) work relationships. This combination of individual and group/social factors decided whether healthcare professionals complied with or adapted hospital standardization efforts. Contextual factors were identified related to guideline system, cultural norms, leadership support, physical environment, time, and workload.

CONCLUSION

The literature on healthcare professionals' adaptive capacity towards hospital standardization is varied and reflect different reasons for compliance or non-compliance to rules, guidelines, and protocols. The knowledge of individual and group/social factors and the role of contextual factors should be used by hospitals to improve standardization practices through educational efforts, individualised training and motivational support. The influence of patient and family factors on healthcare professionals' adaptive capacity should be investigated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/ev7az ) https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EV7AZ .

Nursing staff compliance and adherence to standard precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

This study investigated the compliance and adherence of nursing staff (nurses, nursing assistants, and midwives) to standard precautions (SPs). A cross-sectional design while adhering to STROBE guidelines was used for this study. Nursing staff from a government tertiary hospital (n = 515) were recruited and completed the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) and Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions Scale (FIASPS). Analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The overall average compliance with the SPs of the nursing staff was suboptimal, and the disposal of sharps domain had the lowest compliance. Nurses were more compliant with sharps disposal, and nursing assistants with waste disposal. Contextual cues were the most influential factor influencing participants' adherence to SPs. All CSPS domains were significantly correlated with the Contextual cues factor of the FIASPS. Finally, service years and educational attainment were significant predictors of SPs adherence. The findings underscore the organization's critical responsibility for actively enforcing policies using monitoring systems and contextual cues in the workplace to ensure staff compliance and adherence with SPs.

Factors affecting compliance with infection prevention and control standard precautions among healthcare workers in Songwe region, Tanzania

Background

Compliance with infection prevention and control standard precautions (IPCSPs) remains a major challenge in many countries including Tanzania. Lack of compliance exposes healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients to a high risk of developing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) including antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms which can contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigated compliance with IPCSPs and associated factors among HCWs in public healthcare facilities (HFs) in Songwe Region, Tanzania between January and March 2021.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in all 5 districts in Songwe Region, involved 400 HCWs from difference healthcare facilities (HFs) including dispensaries, health centres and hospitals. The Compliance with Standard Precautions scale (CSPS) tool developed by WHO was used. Descriptive and modified Poisson regression analysis was done. A P-value of less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results

Only 22.5% (90/400) of HCWs had high compliance (above 80%) to IPCSPs. The majority of HCWs reported highest compliance on discarding used needles/sharps into sharps containers (94%), the lowest IPCSPs compliance was for the correct handling of spills, taking a shower after extensive splashing and not re-using disposable masks, 8%, 28.5% and 34% respectively. Attending IPC training or an IPC seminar in the previous year (ARR=2.97 [1.87-4.72] P<0.001), the number of years of work experience (ARR=2.08 [1.22-3.54] P=0.007), and having experienced a needlestick injury (ARR=0.62 [0.40-0.95] P=0.028), were identified as predictors of HCWs compliance with IPCSPs.

Conclusion

The majority of HCWs in Songwe region had low compliance with IPCSPs according to national standards. IPC training and the number of years of work experience predicted high compliance with IPCSPs. Capacity building initiatives, mentorship and supportive supervision should be emphasised for all HCWs in all HFs.

Institutional Factors Associated with Infection Prevention and Control Practices Globally during the Infectious Pandemics in Resource-Limited Settings

Healthcare-associated infections lead to considerable morbidity, a prolonged hospital stay, antibiotic resistance, long-term disability, mortality and increased healthcare costs. Based on the literature, some individual and socio-demographic factors including knowledge, age and length of service or work experience, gender and type of profession influence compliance with infection prevention and control procedures. In addition, organizational culture, which refers to the assumptions, values, and norms shared among colleagues, can influence an individual's thinking and healthcare workers' behavior, either positively or negatively. Infection control practices based on the perspective of patients, hospital management and healthcare workers may help develop a better understanding of the factors influencing compliance with infection prevention and control policies and guidelines.

Standard Precaution Knowledge and Behavioral Intentions Among Students in the Healthcare Field: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Infectious diseases are a major threat to healthcare workers and patients alike. Standard precautions (SPs) are a pivotal element in controlling their spread. However, worldwide reported compliance with SP guidelines is suboptimal among workers and students in the healthcare field.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to identify the knowledge and behavioral intent patterns of students in the healthcare field as well as the relationship of these patterns to the students' study program, clinical exposure, and attitudes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study employed a web-based structured questionnaire. Participants were students of nursing, emergency medicine for paramedics, physiotherapy, and medicine studying at a public university in Israel. The questionnaire assessed SP-related knowledge and behavioral intent, perceptions of personal responsibility, and the presence of mentors as role models. The K -means clustering method was used.

RESULTS

The 259 students (33% response rate) who completed the questionnaire were enrolled as participants and divided into two knowledge and behavioral intent clusters. Cluster 1 ( n = 156) had a higher proportion of nursing students and a lower proportion of medical students than Cluster 2 ( n = 103). Emergency medicine for paramedics and physiotherapy students were more evenly distributed between the clusters. Participants who were classified in Cluster 1 reported higher intent with regard to proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and decontamination practices. In multivariable analysis, only three variables predicted belonging to Cluster 1: nursing students, perception of their mentors as role models, and perception of having higher personal responsibility for microbiological safety.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed clear patterns of knowledge and behavior among the students in the healthcare field examined in this study. These patterns were influenced by profession, role mentoring, and sense of responsibility. This use of cluster analysis may contribute to the development of better SP educational endeavors. The patterns identified highlight the need for improved training and the importance of role modeling for healthcare students in all areas of specialization.

Knowledge and determinants of infection prevention and control compliance among nurses in Yendi municipality, Ghana

Background

Knowledge of and compliance to infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines are crucial to curbing hospital acquired infections (HAIs). Globally, about 7–10% of patients suffer HAIs. However, there is limited evidence on nurses’ knowledge and adherence to IPC guidelines. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge and determinants of IPC compliance among nurses in Yendi Municipality, Northern Ghana.

Methods

We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional study among 209 nurses of the Yendi Municipal hospital, using an adapted questionnaire. We collected and analysed data using SPSS version 26. Socio-demographics, knowledge level and compliance to IPC guidelines were assessed using descriptive statistics. The minimum scores for knowledge and compliance were 0 each with maximum scores being 10 and 8 respectively. Using binary multivariate logistic regression, the determinants of IPC compliance were analysed and odds ratios reported at 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The nurses had high mean and standard deviation scores for knowledge (7.26 ± 1.4) and compliance to IPC guidelines (5.41 ± 1.5). Females (aOR: 0.33; 95%CI: 0.17–0.64; p = 0.001) were significantly less likely to comply to IPC guidelines. Nurses working in Maternity/Labour wards (aOR: 8.31; 95%CI: 2.46–28.15; p = 0.001) and Outpatient Department (OPD)/Psychiatry (aOR: 5.00; 95%CI: 1.42–17.62; p = 0.012) were associated with higher odds of complying to IPC guidelines. Availability of IPC guidelines (aOR: 3.48; 95%CI: 1.13–10.72; p = 0.030) in a working department influenced compliance to IPC measures.

Conclusion

The study revealed high knowledge and high compliance regarding IPC among nurses in the Yendi Municipal Hospital. A person’s working department and the availability of IPC guidelines were key determinants for high compliance to IPC measures. However, knowledge of IPC did not influence compliance to IPC guidelines. The Municipal and Regional Health directorates, should therefore ensure adequate logistic flow, provision of IPC guidelines and proper supervision to ensure maximum compliance with IPC guidelines, particularly among paediatric, medical and surgical wards nurses as well as degree holding nurses.

Perception and factors affecting practice of preventive measures of coronavirus disease among nurses in tertiary health institutions in Anambra state, southeast Nigeria

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is a contagious disease without any treatment, vaccine, or immunity, which the only way out is the practice of preventive measures. This article assessed the perception and factors influencing the practice of preventive measures to COVID-19 among nurses in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study objectives include to determine the perception of nurses toward COVID-19 and to determine factors that influence the practice of preventive measures to COVID-19 among nurses in tertiary hospitals in Anambra State.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The design for the study was descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among 344 nurses in the two tertiary institutions.

RESULTS

Three hundred and three (88.1%) nurses had no formal training on COVID-19 protocol. They have a good perception of the disease as, among others, they (165 [48.0%]) see it to be highly contagious, 207 (60.2%) can recognize symptoms easily, 168 (48.8%) believed that COVID-19 could be handled professionally based on their experience, 155 (45.1%) responded that there is no vaccine yet for the disease, and 200 (58.1%) responded that patients should not hide their symptoms and travel history to avoid infecting other people. The result on the false benefits has 323 (93.9%) who responded that COVID-19 preventive measures will predispose one to the disease, 319 (92.7%) who responded that the preventive measures will not slow the spread of the disease, 288 (83.7) who responded that it is independent of normalcy returning to areas affected, and 327 (95.1%) who responded that COVID-19 preventive measures are among the effective ways to mitigate the disease and enhance life sustainability. Some work-related/institutional and disease-specific factors influence their practice of preventive measures to COVID-19. Such factors include the time to use personal protective equipment (PPE) in an emergency (170 [49.4%]), remembering to use PPE (158 [45.9%]), insufficient nursing staff during a shift (158 [43.0%]), and too many responsibilities during a shift (178 [51.7%]).

CONCLUSION

With the increasing death as a result of COVID-19, of which health workers are not immune to, it is essential to annihilate all negative factors that may impede the accurate practices of the preventive measures and also support the nurses with the necessary tools and knowledge to mitigate their exposure to the disease.

The Factors Impacting Nurses Awareness on Prevention Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review

Background: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are significant causes of illness and mortality, and nurses are healthcare professionals with the most consistent contact with patients, therefore nurses need to possess adequate knowledge, and awareness. Aim: this study aim to analyze factors impacting nurses' awareness of the prevention of HAIs, such as their knowledge, attitude, and practice compliance. Methods: A systematic review was conducted from the sources of data collection, namely Proquest, Science Direct, Pubmed, and Google Scholar from 2011-2020, with English guidelines used to review the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results: Data were obtained through a questionnaire survey, direct observation, and self-report from 4329 nurses with a total of 12 inclusion criteria. The result showed that a significant number of nurses do not possess an acceptable level of knowledge and practice, although nurses have a positive attitude. Hand hygiene and the other protective personal equipment need to be used by nurses and other health personal to prevent Urinary Tract Infection, respiratory, and Surgical Site Infection in the hospital.   Conclusion: nurses need to possess the right knowledge, attitude, and guidelines. Standard precaution is important for patient safety management, nurses need to be adequately trained to increase awareness.  

Evaluation of infection prevention and control preparedness in acute care nurses: Factors influencing adherence to standard precautions

Background

It is essential to identify factors that affect adherence to standard precautions, which could increase risk of occupational exposure to pathogens.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Nurses (n = 241) in an acute care hospital completed the survey including the Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions Scale (FIASPS) (total possible scores in each domain ranged from 5 to 25) and the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) (total possible scores ranged from 0 to 20).

Results

Results showed moderate influence of the judgement (mean = 14.04, SD = 4.04), leadership (M = 14.58, SD 3.78), and culture/practice (M = 12.61, SD = 3.18) factors; high score on contextual cues (M = 15.77, SD = 3.60); and low score on justification (M = 5.76, SD = 4.57). The overall mean CSPS score was 76.68% (SD 13.82). There was a significant negative relationship between justification for non-use of standard precautions and nurses' adherence with standard precautions (r = −0.24, p < 0.001). A significant positive relationship was reported between the leadership factor (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), cultural practice factor in FIASPS (r = 0.24, p < 0.001) and nurse' adherence with standard precautions.

Conclusion

Nurses would benefit from regular training sessions to reiterate the infection control guidelines and the need to abide to them. Encouraging nurses to be role models serves to increase the adherence to SPs in their colleagues. Organization should continue with strict enforcement of policies with monitoring.

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Poor adherence to standard precautions increases the risk of exposure to infections.

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Regular training sessions can improve perception of risks of non-adherence.

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Nurses can be encouraged to be role models in the practice of standard precautions.

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Enforcement of policies is crucial to maintain adherence to standard precautions.

Perception and Barriers Regarding Infection Control Measures Among Healthcare Workers in Minia City, Egypt

Background:

This study aimed to assess perception of healthcare workers (HCWs) toward infection control measures and to identify the major barriers that may hinder the proper infection control practice and to compare perception of HCWs toward infection control measures between Minia University Hospital and Minia General Hospital. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods:

The study conducted on 350 HCWs (187 from Minia University Hospital, 163 from Minia General Hospital); data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to assess perception toward infection control measures and to identify the major barriers that may hinder the proper infection control practice.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Data were gathered and entered into Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS), version 22.

Results:

About 85% of HCWs in Minia University Hospital compared with 82% in Minia General Hospital had a positive perception toward Standard precautions (SPs). Knowledge score was the only significant predictors of perception of HCWs toward infection control. One-point increment in knowledge score is associated with significantly 13% lower odds to have negative perception; the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) was 0.87 (0.81–0.95). The most frequent barrier of practice of SPs was absence of enough gloves and gowns.

Conclusions:

HCWs demonstrated positive perception toward infection control and SPs measures. The most frequent reported barrier against practice of SPs was absence of enough gloves and gowns. The significant predictor that hindered the practice of SPs was that “Following SPs makes work harder.”

Association between Hospital Nurses' Perception of Patient Safety Management and Standard Precaution Adherence: A Cross-Sectional Study

Standard precautions should be applied to prevent health care-associated infections during every nursing activity. However, adherence to standard precautions was reported to be inadequate. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the rates of standard precaution adherence and the association between perception of patient safety management and standard precaution adherence. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a convenience sample of nurses was recruited from a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Seoul, Korea. Data were collected using a structured self-report questionnaire. Among the 332 questionnaires returned (response rate: 94.9%), a total of 329 nurses were analyzed. In the present study, the overall standard precaution adherence rate was approximately 53.5%. The multiple linear regression results revealed that participants’ perceptions of patient safety management were only significantly associated with standard precaution adherence after adjusting other covariates (β = 0.412, p < 0.001). Nurse supervisors should focus more on raising awareness about nurses’ perception of patient safety management based on the specific work environment, such as the total number of nurses working together and the nurse-to-patient ratio. Nurse educators should develop integrated curricula to help graduate nurses transition smoothly into professional practice and enhance adherence to standard precautions in diverse health care settings.