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Results for “Universal Precautions”

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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Audit on the degree of application of universal precautions in a haemodialysis unit.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate the degree of compliance with standard precautions (hand washing and wearing of gloves) by health workers in one haemodialysis unit. METHODS: During 4 months, two observers monitored the activities of the health care staff in the dialysis unit. Thirty five randomly distributed observation periods of 60 min duration covered one haemodialysis session. The observers evaluated (i) the total number of potential opportunities to implement standard precautions and (ii) the number of occasions when these were actually put into practice. RESULTS: A total of 364 opportunities to wear gloves and to wash hands thereafter and 273 opportunities to wash hands before a patient-oriented activity were observed. The proportion of occasions when gloves were actually used was 18.7%. Hand washing after a patient-oriented activity was performed only on 32.4% of occasions. Finally, only on 3% of such occasions was hand washing before the activity. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of compliance with standard precautions by health care personnel is unsatisfactory and this favours nosocomial transmission in haemodialysis units.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗
PubMed1992

Implementing universal precautions against infection.

As noted recently in the Journal, a small number of dentists, according to their own reports, do not always wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask in treating their patients. The profession's recommendations for infection control have thus not been observed. The following describes some of the influences on the decisions taken by dentists to take or neglect these measures.

Dental Care↗
PubMed1992

HIV infection and universal precautions: why are health workers so fearful given the facts?

Identifying people who are infected with HIV has drawn significant media attention over the past decade. This is an ethical issue that must be dealt with by health care workers, urgently. Services to people with HIV are being compromised by the attitudes and practices of some health care workers. Infection control nurses should provide leadership to health care workers who share the challenge of delivering effective and efficient services to people with HIV/AIDS.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1992

Personal protective equipment in aseptic technique and universal precautions.

1. Although some of the basic principles of aseptic technique are fundamentally similar, their roles in terms of protection is reversed. 2. Whereas the use of the surgical mask has often been abused, ie, being saved by hanging around the neck, there is reason to believe that masks may only be necessary in those instances where the wearer is exposed to splashes, spray, or spatter of infectious materials. 3. Materials that are liquid-resistant may possess various degrees of resistance. On the other hand, the performance of a material that is liquid-proof is absolute--it is impenetrable and can be accurately described as impervious.

Asepsis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reducing risk of infection when obtaining hematocrit and bilirubin determinations: beyond universal precautions.

Obtaining hematocrit and bilirubin determinations is associated with infection risks, including human immunodeficiency virus infection. This study describes two simple procedures to decrease the risk of infection to health care providers while obtaining hematocrit and bilirubin determinations. Using readily available, inexpensive items (nonsterile gauze, a standard file, and plastic holder) and some simple techniques, the risk of infection can be decreased without increasing the time required. We believe these procedures are very reasonable and simple solutions to a common nursery problem.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1993

Occupational blood exposure among health care workers: II. Exposure mechanisms and universal precautions.

We investigated mechanisms of mucocutaneous exposure (MCE) and percutaneous exposure (PCE) to blood, and compliance with protective barriers among all former and presently employed medical staff at a Danish Department of Infectious Diseases. All subjects were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. 135 out of 168 (80%) subjects responded. 37 incidents of PCE and 15 MCE were described. More than 50% of PCE had occurred without obvious explanation during medical procedures, or were caused by unexpected patient movement, while only 1 PCE was caused by recapping. 35% of PCE occurred during drawing of venous blood samples. Compliance with usage of gloves was high (70-100%), depending on the procedure, and 72% of the subjects claimed to have sufficient knowledge of the risk of blood exposure and how to prevent it. Yet 11 (73%) out of 15 MCE might have been prevented by appropriate use of protective barriers. To further reduce the frequency of blood exposure, the development of safer instruments and unceasing education in safer technique and use of protective barriers are of major importance.

Blood↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adverse exposures and use of universal precautions among perinatal nurses.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the level of protective barrier use by perinatal nurses, the numbers of exposures experienced, and the factors influencing barrier use. DESIGN: Descriptive correlational study. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 560 perinatal nurses practicing in Arizona were sent questionnaires; 306 nurses responded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The nurses indicated frequency of barrier use, on a Likert-type scale, for 15 common obstetric procedures involving risk for blood or body fluid exposure. The nurses also reported number of exposures and barrier failures experienced in the preceding year. Two other scales were used to identify factors influencing barrier use and nonuse. RESULTS: A low frequency of barrier use and a high frequency of exposures were reported. A relationship was found between barrier use and exposures (r = -.29, p < .0001): As barrier use increased, exposures to body fluids decreased somewhat. Suspicion that a patient was a member of a high-risk group (e.g., an intravenous drug user) was a strong motivator for barrier use. Poorly fitting gloves and the need for quick action were strong influences for barrier nonuse. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal nurses were inadequately protected from bloodborne disease.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Compliance with recommendations for universal precautions among prehospital providers.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the compliance of emergency medical responders with local employer and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for disposal of sharps and use of personal protective equipment in the prehospital environment. DESIGN: Prospective, single-blinded observational study of 297 ambulance runs conducted for 3 months. SETTING: A metropolitan emergency medical service system. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-nine emergency medical technicians and paramedics. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Observers recorded the handling of sharps and the use of personal protective equipment in four situations: i.v. line placement, endotracheal intubation, large-wound management, and body fluid hazard. Emergency medical workers properly handled sharps in 24 of 65 situations (37%). They were usually compliant with glove use during the observed procedures. However, compliance with the use of other personal protective equipment was poor. CONCLUSION: Sharps were often improperly handled. Most workers complied with recommendations for the use of gloves but often underused goggles, masks, and gowns. Although education and restructuring of the environment and equipment may improve compliance, strong consideration should be given to developing standardized and more practical recommendations for the prehospital environment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed2004

Health literacy: universal precautions needed.

Inadequate health literacy adversely affects health care outcomes and the quality of life of 90 million Americans and costs the health care system dollars 73 billion annually. Current strategies addressing inadequate health literacy primarily target physicians, nurses, and pharmacists but omit the allied health practitioners responsible for providing most patient services. The 2003 Coalition for Allied Health Leadership Health Literacy Project team undertook a survey of allied health professionals and educators to assess their awareness and needs concerning inadequate health literacy. Less than one third of all respondents were aware of the issues surrounding health literacy or that health literacy resources are available or had institutional policy or goals to address health literacy. Brochures and videos were identified most frequently as new resources needed to establish or increase the effectiveness of health literacy awareness programs. The results of this project indicated that there is substantial opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of health literacy, to develop and assess institutional policies toward health literacy, and to create new resources to promote health literacy within the allied health professions. Any approach to improving health literacy must be universal by involving all health care professionals and all patients in the intervention.

Allied Health Occupations↗