Sangeetha S1, Harshika Y. K2, Seema P3
BACKGROUND: Standard precautions are crucial in the prevention and transmission of Healthcare associated infections (HAI) and transmission of blood-borne pathogens like Hepatitis B, Human Immunodeficiency Virus & Hepatitis C. They are not well understood or implemented by health care practitioners. Hence this study was taken up to determine and compare knowledge, attitude of standard precautions among health care personnel at a teaching hospital, Bangalore
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitude, practices and compliance of Standard precautions among health care workers at a teaching hospital.
METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifty seven health care personnel participated in this study. A pretest and post test was administered to the study group. A pre-structured questionnaire on standard precautions was prepared which included knowledge, attitude and practices.
RESULTS: 116(73.88%) nurses had knowledge about hand hygiene, but only 82(52.2%) nurses practiced hand hygiene before and after patient care. Knowledge about PPE measures like gloves, face mask & goggles, gowns were known to 101(64.33%), 56(35.66%) & 69(43.94%) nurses respectively. 117(74.52%) nurses discarded needles & sharps in correct puncture proof containers, but their correct knowledge regarding colour coding of hospital waste segregation was comparatively less i.e. 104(66.24%). 119(75.79%) of the nurses had practice of recapping the needles after use.
CONCLUSION: There was significant improvement in the knowledge and practice of standard precautions in the present study after incorporating good training practices.
