Knowledge and practice of nursing personnel about Universal Precautions at secondary level hospital
Abstract
In India, Universal precautions have to followed as per CDC guideline to prevent nosocomial infection. Health personals specially nursing personals are on direct risk of nosocomial infections. HIV is one the nosocomial infection which has its very bed prognosis. So this study was designed to know the knowledge and practice of nursing personals of a secondary level hospital. For this study 100 nursing personals were selected from district hospital Dausa Rajasthan. These 100 nursing professionals were supervised for practice and interrogated for knowledge as per a semistructured schedule. This study observed that each one of nursing personal had knowledge of hand washing and 97% had knowledge of use of gloves followed by proper disposal of dressings (86%), proper disposal of needle (81%) and proper disposal of BMW (74%). Less than 60% had knowledge of use of apron and use of needle shredder. They were having very little knowledge of use of eye protection (5%) and use of mask (27%). None of the nursing personals having knowledge of use of foot protection. Moreover proper disposal of dressings (86%) was practiced by 72% followed by proper disposal of needle (69%), hand washing (62%), use of gloves (56%) and proper disposal of BMW (46%). Less than 40% practiced the use of apron and use of needle shredder. None was using device for eye protection and foot protection. Gap between knowledge and practice of UPs maximum gap in percentage was found in using eye protection devices, use of mask and use of needle shredder. So motivation of these nursing personal is need for that trainings may be arranged.
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Introduction
Universal precautions refers to the practice, in medicine, of avoiding contact with patients' bodily fluids, by means of the wearing of nonporous articles such as medical gloves, goggles etc. The practice was introduced in 1985–88.1,2 In 1987, the practice of universal precautions was adjusted by a set of rules. In 1996, both practices were replaced by the latest approach known as standard precautions. 3 Use of personal protective equipments are now recommended in all health settings.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are potentially exposed to blood and body fluids (BBF) in the course of their professional work and therefore are at risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens. Worldwide, three million HCWs experience percutaneous exposure to blood-borne viruses each year (two million hepatitis B, 900,000 hepatitis C and 300,000 human immunodeficiency virus).4 Exposure to BBF can occur through a percutaneous injury (needle-stick injury, NSI) or mucocutaneous incident (BBF splash). Awareness regarding this occupational risk is narrated in issue of guidelines by CDC as universal precautions (UPs) in 1987, later these were updated in year 1996.5
Despite of detailed CDC guidelines given regarding UPs for a so long time, the knowledge and practce of UPs among HCWs even in developed countries has been found to be inadequate.6
Conclusion
This study concludes that each one of nursing personal had knowledge of hand washing and majority had knowledge of use of gloves, proper disposal of dressings, proper disposal of needle and proper disposal of BMW. Less than 60% had knowledge of use of apron and use of needle shredder. They were having very little knowledge of use of eye protection and use of mask. None of the nursing personals having knowledge of use of foot protection. Moreover regarding practice of UPs among nursing personals, proper disposal of dressings was most practiced followed by proper disposal of needle, hand washing, use of gloves and proper disposal of BMW. Less than 40% practiced the use of apron and use of needle shredder. None was using device for eye protection and foot protection. On further analysis for gap between knowledge and practice of UPs among nursing personals, beside use of eye protection maximum gap in percentage was found in use of mask and use of needle shredder. So on-service trainings may be arranged for nursing personals.