There is an increase in HIV/AIDS and other blood borne diseases. Health care workers are often exposed to blood and body fluids and thus prone to blood borne infections. Preventative measures can be taken to prevent health workers from contracting these diseases. However, health care workers need to stringently apply these measures. Universal precautions against blood borne infections include diligent hygiene practices, such as hand washing and drying, appropriate handling and disposal of sharp objects, prevention of needle stick or sharp injuries, appropriate handling of patient care equipment and soiled linen, environmental cleaning and spills management, appropriate handling of waste as well as protective clothing such as gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and protective eyewear. This study is aimed at investigating compliance with universal precautions in operating theatres in Northern KwaZulu–Natal as well as perceptions of registered nurses working in these operating theatres regarding factors influencing compliance in order to contribute to measures to limit the risk of infection to patients and health care workers. A sequential explanatory design, mixed–method (quantitative and qualitative) was used to explore the use of universal precautions in operating theatres in the Northern Kwa–Zulu Natal. In the first phase, the sample consisted of practices in operating theatres of six hospitals and one regional hospital in area 3 of Kwa–Zulu Natal. The adapted structured checklist based on an established document developed by the MASA Committee for Science and Education (1995) was pilot tested. The collected data was statistically analysed and interpreted with the help of a statistician using SPSS. The results of Phase 1 were used as a base for the Phase 2 questions. Three focus group interviews were conducted with professional nurses who were observed during Phase 1 at the selected hospitals. Findings from quantitative data show that although health care workers take precautions to prevent infections, they do not attain full compliance to universal precautions. The qualitative data indicated that the reasons for non–compliance amongst others were the lack of knowledge of universal precautions, communication factors, resources, including maintenance of equipment, lack of supplies and shortage of human resources and attitudes of health care workers. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Thesis (Dr. P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 1994. / Richard M. Grimes. (ADVISOR) Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-118).

Introdução: A propagação das infecções em serviços de saúde pode ocorrer devido ao não cumprimento das precauções padrão e precauções específicas por parte dos profissionais da assistência a saúde, indivíduos e visitantes. Estudos demonstraram baixa adesão às medidas de precaução pelos profissionais da assistência a saúde, o que pode ter relação com os aspectos do comportamento humano, como a falsa percepção de um risco invisível e a subestimação do compromisso individual nas taxas de infecções relacionadas à assistência a saúde. Com relação aos indivíduos e familiares a orientação inadequada, que se restringe apenas em dizer o que deve ou não ser feito pelo familiar e indivíduo, não esclarece o objetivo principal das precauções, fazendo com que a adesão aos procedimentos não ocorra ou ocorra de maneira inadequada. A partir da década de 1980, teóricos em saúde coletiva propuseram o conceito de vulnerabilidade para ser utilizado como quadro de referência para apoiar o manejo de agravos em saúde. No presente estudo, o conceito de vulnerabilidade foi utilizado como referencial teórico para a abordagem dos aspectos que envolvem o conhecimento e engajamento do indivíduo nas situações que requerem precauções específicas. Objetivo: elaborar e validar com especialistas um roteiro de orientação escrito sobre precauções específicas para indivíduos adultos, tendo como quadro de referência o conceito de vulnerabilidade. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo do tipo metodológico. O estudo foi aplicado em três fases sequenciais: a coleta de dados por meio de aplicação de um questionário dirigido aos indivíduos, a elaboração do roteiro de orientação aos profissionais de saúde e a validação desse material. O estudo foi desenvolvido em dois hospitais, sendo um deles universitário público de nível assistencial secundário e o outro um hospital geral privado com atendimento a convênios de saúde. Participaram do estudo indivíduos adultos que se encontravam em situação de precauções específicas para a transmissão de doenças durante a internação, no período do estudo. Foram convidados a participar como juízes na validação profissionais de saúde com conhecimento reconhecido na área de prevenção de transmissão de doenças ou na temática de vulnerabilidade. O Índice Validade de Conteúdo (IVC) de 0,75 foi utilizado como critério para validação dos tópicos desenvolvidos no instrumento de orientação. Resultados: foram entrevistados 39 indivíduos, em média sete dias após a instituição das precauções específicas. A maior parte estava em precaução para contato. Menos da metade sabia que necessitava de algum cuidado específico; dentre estes, menos da metade sabia como se transmitia seu agravo. O roteiro educacional foi desenvolvido de modo a proporcionar maior conhecimento nos aspectos usualmente negligenciados pelos profissionais e estimular o cuidado centrado na individualidade. Todos os itens tiveram um índice de validade de conteúdo acima de 75%. Conclusão: o roteiro educacional apresenta potencial para instrumentalizar os profissionais da assistência à saúde para a elaboração de ações educativas para indivíduos adultos em precauções específicas. Espera-se que este roteiro possa ser aplicado rotineiramente pelos profissionais nos serviços de saúde, visando a minimizar os efeitos indesejados decorrentes das situações de precauções específicas para transmissão de doenças. / Introduction: The spread of infections in health services may occur due to health care professionals, patients and visitors noncompliance with standard precautions and specific precautions. Studies have shown low adherence from health care professionals to precautionary measures, which may be related to aspects of human behavior, such as false perception of an invisible risk and underestimation of the individual commitment in reference to infections rates related to health care. With regard to patients and families, inadequate guidance - which is limited only to saying what the family member and patient should or should not do - does not clarify the main purpose of the precautions, hindering adherence to precautions or making them occur inappropriately. From the 1980s on, public health theorists proposed the concept of vulnerability to be used as a framework to support health hazard management. In this study, the concept of vulnerability will be used as a theoretical framework to address the aspects concerning the patients knowledge and engagement in situations that require specific precautions. Purpose: to develop and validate with experts a guidance reference in writing on specific precautions for adult patients, using the concept of vulnerability as a referential framework. Method: this is a methodological study design, which will be implemented in three sequential phases: data collection by means of a survey to patients, development of a guidance instrument and validation of this material. The study will be developed in two hospitals, one of them, a state university hospital of secondary care level and the other, a private general hospital covering health insurance plans. Patients participating in the study were adults under specific precautions concerning transmission of diseases during hospitalization at the time of the study. Health professionals with recognized expertise in diseases transmission prevention or on the topic of vulnerability were invited to participate as judges for validation. The Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.75 was used as a criterion for validation of the topics developed in the guidance tool. Results: Thirty-nine patients were interviewed, on average seven days after the imposition of specific precautions. Most were under contact precautions. Less than half knew they needed some special care; among these, less than half knew how their hazard was transmitted. The educational guide was developed to provide more knowledge on the aspects usually neglected by professionals and to foster care centered on the patient\'s individuality. All items had a content validity index above 75%. Conclusion: the educational guide has the potential to enable health care professionals for the development of educational activities for adults under specific precautions. This guide is expected to be applied routinely by professionals in health services, in order to minimize the undesirable effects of the cases of specific precautions to disease transmission.

As Precauções-Padrão (PP) são consideradas como as principais medidas de prevenção à exposição com material biológico potencialmente contaminado e a adesão as PP contribui significativamente para reduzir esses riscos. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever e comparar os escores de adesão às PP de profissionais de enfermagem que atuavam nas unidades de internação de um hospital universitário. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, comparativo e quantitativo, realizado em um hospital de ensino do interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A amostra de 290 sujeitos foi calculada e sorteada segundo um plano amostral estratificado (alfa =0,01; número de preditores = 3, sendo, tempo de exercício na profissão, carga horária semanal, categoria profissional, effect size = 0,08, poder 0,99). Critérios de inclusão: exercer no mínimo seis meses de trabalho na função de enfermeiro, técnico ou auxiliar de enfermagem na instituição; estar lotado na unidade selecionada para a realização do estudo; prestar assistência direta aos doentes. Critérios de exclusão: exercer exclusivamente atividades administrativas; estar em férias, licença-saúde ou afastamento. Utilizou-se um formulário contendo variáveis demográficas e a escala psicométrica de adesão às PP, desenvolvido por Gershon et al. (1995), traduzida e validada por Brevidelli e Cianciarullo (2009), no total de 13 ítens, cujas opções variam segundo uma escala Likert de cinco pontos. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre 01 de setembro de 2009 a 31 de março de 2010 e os profissionais abordados e entrevistados em seu próprio turno de trabalho. A análise dos dados foi efetuada por meio do software Social Package for Social Science (SPSS), versão 15.0. Participaram do estudo 256 profissionais de enfermagem, sendo 178 (69,5%) auxiliares de enfermagem, 27 (10,5%) técnicos e 51 (19,9%) enfermeiros. A confiabilidade da escala de adesão às PP, cujo resultado de 0,70, foi considerado satisfatório. Os resultados apontaram que 152 (59,4%) profissionais apresentaram escores médios altos para a adesão às PP, igual ou acima de 4,5; 98 (38,3%) escores intermediários, entre 3,5 a 4,49 e 06 (2,3%) baixos, ou seja, menores que 3,5. Verificou-se que 50 (19,5%) informaram ter menos de 05 anos na profissão, 83 (32,4%) entre 05 e 10 anos e a maioria, 123 (48,0%), mais que 10 anos na profissão. A análise dos escores de adesão às PP e tempo na profissão mostrou fraca correlação (r=0,629; p=0,395). A análise dos escores de adesão às PP dos profissionais de saúde segundo a carga horária semanal também apontou que houve fraca correlação (r = - 0,070; p = 0,266). Entre profissionais expostos ou não a material biológico não houve diferenças nos escores de adesão às PP. Os resultados apontaram alta e intermediária adesão às PP dos profissionais de enfermagem, entretanto, não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os escores segundo a categoria profissional, tempo na profissão, carga horária semanal ou setores de trabalho ou exposição prévia ao material biológico. / The Standard Precautions (SP) are considered as key measures for preventing exposure to potentially contaminated biological material adhesion to the PP and contributes significantly to reducing these risks. This study aimed to describe and compare the scores of adherence to the SP of nurses who worked in inpatient units of a university hospital. This is a cross-sectional, comparative and quantitative, carried out in a teaching hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The sample of 290 subjects was calculated and drawn in a plane stratified sample (alpha = 0.01, 3 = number of predictors, being, exercise time in the profession, weekly workload, professional category, effect size = 0.08; power 0.99). Inclusion criteria: exercise at least six months working in the role of nurse, technician or nursing assistant in the institution was packed in the unit selected for the study, provide direct care to patients. Exclusion criteria: exercise exclusive administrative activities; be on vacation, sick leave or removal. We used a form containing demographic and psychometric scale for adherence to the SP, developed by Gershon et al. (1995), translated and validated by Brevidelli and Cianciarullo (2009), totaling 13 items, whose options vary according to a five-point Likert scale. Data collection was conducted between September 1, 2009 to 31 March 2010 and discussed the pros and interviewed in their own shift. Data analysis was performed using the software Social Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0. The study included 256 nurses, of which 178 (69.5%) nursing assistants, 27 (10.5%) technicians and 51 (19.9%) nurses. The reability scale adhesion to SP, which results of 0.70, was considered satisfactory. The results showed that 152 (59,4%) professionals had higher mean scores for adherence to SP equal to or above 4.5, 98 (38.3%) scores intermediate between 3.5 and 4.49 and 06 (2 3%) low , less than 3.5. It was found that 50 (19.5%) reported having less than 05 years in the profession, 83 (32.4%) between 05 and 10 years and the majority, 123 (48.0%), more than 10 years in the profession. The mean score for adherence to SP and length of service showed a weak correlation (r=0,629; p=0,395). Analysis of the scores of compliance with standard precautions for health professionals according to weekly working hours also pointed out that there was a weak correlation (r = - 0,070; p = 0,266). Among workers exposed to biological material or not there were differences in scores for adhesion to SP. The results showed high, intermediate, and high adhesion to SP nursing professionals, however, no significant statistically differences between scores by professional category, length of service, weekly or sectors of work or exhibition prior to the biological material.

Magister Public Health - MPH / This study has reveled the levels of knowledge and compliance towards Universal Precautions and examined the factors that are influential in having a positive and negative effect on their adoption by healthcare practitioners in practice. Despite acceptable knowledge regarding the potential for infection and mechanisms to prevent these infections, this study has found out that health care workers are not as compliant with universal precautions as they need to be. The findings that compliance correlated directly with knowledge, with in-service training and with availability of protective equipment, provide important indications for future interventions. Therefore a regular on job refreshing training program on Universal Precautions, a written guideline and reminder poster on Universal Precautions and personal protective equipment need to be made available for all health care providers in every department of the hospital for better compliance.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Background: Health care workers, more specifically, nursing students are at increased risk of occupational injury and exposure to blood borne pathogens. Compliance with universal precautions (UP) will minimise risk or transmission of HIV and HBV (Hepatitis B virus) according to the Department of Health of South Africa. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of universal precautions amongst nursing students and their fear of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Rationale: The rationale for the study was to investigate what the studentss knowledge and practice of UP were, to see if this could be a possible contributing factor to occupational exposure. Research design: The study was a quantitative, cross sectional survey using a questionnaire that included one open ended question. Participants: The participants for the study were the undergraduate nursing students in year levels two to four (n = 253) who and were selected by means of stratified random sampling. Procedures: A questionnaire was administered to the participants by the researcher. Analysis of the data collected was done through statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0) and content analysis. Results: The researcher established that there is indeed a lack of knowledge regarding UP and that the students’ self reported practice of UP is poor. No statistically significant correlation between knowledge and practice of UP were found. There is underreporting of occupational exposures to staff at the School of Nursing. The majority of students reported a moderate to severe fear for occupational exposures and contributing factors raised by them are reality in the clinical facilities. / South Africa

The study by Rehan et al. [1] was evaluated for support of the conclusion was by the data. The deviations from recommended practices were infrequent and not shown to be clinically significant. Although a strong study, the conclusion that world-wide education programs are needed is not warranted.

Os trabalhadores de enfermagem estão expostos a diversos riscos ocupacionais, sendo que os de natureza biológica se destacam pelos prejuízos causados aos trabalhadores e às instituições. Como parte das medidas de prevenção aos riscos biológicos, as Precauções-Padrão (PP) são mundialmente recomendadas, ainda que apresentem baixa ou apenas parcial adesão em vários países. Objetivo: construir e validar um vídeo educativo com o intuito de estimular a adesão às PP pelos trabalhadores de enfermagem. Método: investigação realizada em duas fases: 1) estudo descritivo com abordagem quantitativa; 2) estudo metodológico. Na primeira, participaram 197 trabalhadores de enfermagem atuantes em dois hospitais de Cuiabá/Mato Grosso, os quais responderam às perguntas dos Questionnaires for Knowlegde and Compliance with Standard Precaution - versão traduzida para o português falado no Brasil. Os dados foram coletados em junho de 2016, armazenados em planilhas e analisados por meio do programa Epi Info, versão 7.2. Na segunda fase, com base nos dados obtidos na etapa anterior e em evidências científicas, construiu-se o vídeo educativo \"Segurança no trabalho em serviços de saúde: adesão às precauções-padrão\", estruturado segundo o referencial teórico do Modelo Revisado de Promoção da Saúde de Nola Pender. Nesta etapa, participaram 13 especialistas que validaram o vídeo com base na técnica Delphi. Resultados: a amostra foi composta predominantemente por mulheres (91,88%), com média de idade de 36,6 anos, 79,19% técnicos de enfermagem e 20,81% enfermeiros. Dos participantes, 37,57% referiram um ou mais acidentes de trabalho com exposição a material biológico. A não notificação de acidentes foi informada por 29,72% dos trabalhadores; 90,36% dos pesquisados eram imunizados contra a hepatite B. Quanto ao conhecimento sobre as PP, os índices de acertos variaram de 6,1% a 99%, com média de 79,19% (DP±25,77), sendo que os itens que apresentaram maior déficit de conhecimento foram os relativos aos objetivos e ao uso das PP na prestação de cuidados a pacientes com tuberculose, varicela, sífilis e hepatite B. A maioria trabalhadores referiu o desejo de participar de treinamentos sobre o uso das PP. O percentual de adesão às precauções-padrão variou de 36,04% a 95,43%, com média de 78,40% (DP±16,39), sendo os itens de baixa adesão: uso adequado de alguns equipamentos de proteção individual, ao não encape de agulhas usadas e às condutas pós-exposição a material biológico. No processo de validação o roteiro obteve 92,31% e o vídeo 92,86% de consenso, mostrando-se válido para ser utilizados por profissionais de saúde para estimular o uso das PP. Conclusões: de maneira geral, constatou-se \"bom conhecimento\" e \"boa adesão\", porém evidenciou-se déficit de conhecimento em algumas questões e adesão parcial às PP, apesar de a maioria ter referido participação em treinamentos, demandando revisão das estratégias educativas das instituições pesquisadas. O vídeo estruturado com base na realidade e nas evidencias científicas, validado com consenso superior a 90% se mostra uma ferramenta para ser utilizada para estimular a adesão às PP e ser inserida em programas de educação permanente de promoção da saúde no trabalho. / Nursing workers are exposed to various occupational hazards, and those of a biological nature stand out for the damages caused to workers and institutions. As part of the measures to prevent biological risks, the Standard Precautions (SP) are recommended worldwide, even if there are low or only partial adherence in several countries. Objective: to construct and validate an educational video in order to stimulate adherence to PP by nursing workers. Method: research carried out in two phases: 1) a descriptive study with a quantitative approach; 2) methodological study. The first one was attended by 197 nursing workers working in two hospitals in Cuiabá / Mato Grosso, who answered the questions of the Questionnaires for Knowlegde and Compliance with Standard Precaution (translated in Portuguese). The data were collected in June 2016, stored in spreadsheets and analyzed using the Epi Info program, version 7.2. In the second phase, based on the data obtained in the previous stage and on scientific evidence, the educational video \"Workplace Safety in health services: adherence to standard precautions\" was built according to the theoretical framework of the Health Promotion Model (Revised) of Nola Pender. In this stage, 13 experts participated who validated the video based on the Delphi technique. Results: the sample consisted predominantly of women (91.88%), with a mean age of 36.6 years, 79.19% of nursing technicians and 20.81% of nurses. Among the participants, 37.57% reported one or more occupational accidents with exposure to biological material. The non-notification of accidents was informed by 29.72% of the workers; 90.36% of the respondents were immunized against hepatitis B. Concerning the knowledge about PP, the hit rates ranged from 6.1% to 99%, with an average of 79.19% (SD ± 25.77), and the items that presented the greatest knowledge deficit were those related to objectives and the use of PP in caring for patients with tuberculosis, chickenpox, syphilis and hepatitis B. Most workers mentioned the desire to participate in training on the use of SP. The percentage of adherence to standard precautions ranged from 36.04% to 95.43%, with a mean of 78.40% (SD ± 16.39), with low compliance items: adequate use of some individual protection equipment, to avoid the encapsulation of used needles and the procedures after the exposure to biological material. In the validation process the script obtained 92.31% and video 92.86% of consensus, being valid to be used by health professionals to stimulate the use of SP. Conclusions: in general, \"good knowledge\" and \"good adherence\" were found, but lack of knowledge on some issues and partial adherence to SP, although most of them mentioned participation in training, demanding a review of the educational strategies of the researched institutions. The video constructed and based on reality and scientific evidence, validated with a consensus of more than 90%, is a tool to be used to stimulate adherence to SP and be inserted in programs of permanent education to promote health at work.

As Precauções- Padrão (PP) são medidas fundamentais para proteger pacientes e profissionais da área da saúde (PAS) da aquisição de microorganismos patogênicos. Entretanto, a adesão às PP é insatisfatória e vários motivos são descritos para essa baixa adesão. OBJETIVO: Analisar os fatores individuais, laborais e organizacionais associados com a adesão às PP de profissionais de enfermagem de uma instituição privada localizada na cidade de São Paulo. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal realizado com uma amostra de 291 profissionais de enfermagem, distribuídos proporcionalmente entre enfermeiros, técnicos e auxiliares que trabalhavam em setores críticos, semi-críticos e emergência. Os dados foram coletados no período de outubro de 2010 a janeiro de 2011. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se um instrumento com questões socio demográficas e escalas de Likert com 5 opções de respostas, segundo o referencial teórico Modelo Explicativo da Adesão às Precauções- Padrão. RESULTADO: 78,0% (226/291) dos profissionais de enfermagem responderam usar as PP na assistência a todos os pacientes. A análise multivariada mostrou que a adesão às PP foi associada a fatores individuais, expressa por profissionais mais jovens; fatores laborais, expressa por menor percepção de obstáculos e ter recebido treinamento; e fatores organizacionais, expressa por maior percepção de clima de segurança institucional. CONCLUSÕES: As intervenções planejadas para a melhoria da adesão às PP devem ser voltadas não somente para treinamentos em serviço, mas também para ações de redução de barreiras e melhoria do clima de segurança institucional. / Standard Precautions (SP) are key measures to protect patients and health professionals (HP) from the acquisition of pathogenic microorganisms. However, adherence to the SP is unsatisfactory and several reasons are described for this low adherence. OBJECTIVE: To analyze individual, organizational and labor factors associated with adherence to the SP of nursing professionals from a private institution located in the city of São Paulo. METHOD: Cross-sectional study carried out with a sample of 291 nursing professionals, proportionally distributed among nurses, nursing technicians and nursing auxiliaries who work in critical, semi-critical and emergency care areas. Data were collected between October 2010 and January 2011. For data collection an instrument with sociodemographic questions and Likert-type scales with 5 response options was used, according to the theoretical framework of the Explanatory Model of Adherence to Standard Precautions. RESULT: 78.0% (226/291) of the nursing professionals answered using the SP in the care to all patients. Multivariate analysis showed that adherence to SP was associated with individual factors, expressed by younger professionals; labor factors, expressed by lower perception of obstacles and having received training; and organizational factors, expressed by a greater perception of institutional safety climate. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions designed to improve the adherence to SP should target not only in-service training, but also actions to reduce barriers and improve the institutional safety climate.

<p>Everyday thousands of nurses are rendering bedside nursing care in health care settings as a result they are exposed to blood, body fluids and sharp objects that are contaminated with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Therefore they are at risk of getting infected. In 1996, standard precautions were implemented by the Centre of Disease Control to reduce the risk of transmission of micro-organisms from any source of infection in the hospital. In the year 2008, the three tertiary hospitals together in the Western Cape reported that they had 733 needle prick injuries. Therefore the aim of the study was to determine if nurses comply with and have adequate knowledge of standard precautions. A non-experimental design and a self administered questionnaire were used to collect the data for the study. The study was done at Tygerberg Hospital and the participants (n=143) that were involved in the study were all nursing categories (professional, enrolled nurse and auxiliary nurse). Stratified random sampling was used to ensure that there was a representation of all the nurses working in the different modules at Tygerberg Hospital. Therefore three wards were randomly selected from each module and all the nurses on duty working in the three selected wards were given a questionnaire by the Assistant Director of the specific module. After the data was collected it was analysed through the statistical package for social sciences. The findings of the study showed that nurses have inadequate knowledge regarding standard precautions and the mean score of the nurses overall self reported compliance of standard precautions was 87.5%. The results also showed that when patients are HIV positive nurses intend to over comply the use of personal protective equipment. No association was found between the nurses&rsquo / knowledge and compliance regarding standard precautions. It is therefore important that every nurse should be educated about the basic principles of standard precautions and also the policies and protocols of infection control in order to prevent each nurse from getting infected. Training needs to be implemented starting in the wards through the unit manager to improve all the nurses&rsquo / knowledge and practice.</p>