Knowledge and self-reported use of universal precautions in a university teaching hospital

This article reports a study of knowledge and self-reported use of universal precautions by professionals (individuals on the medical staff, in nursing service, in the laboratory, and in the social service, pastoral care, and respiratory care departments) and nonprofessionals (individuals working in the dietary and environmental services departments) in a university teaching hospital. Nonprofessional workers were found to be less knowledgeable about universal precautions than were professional workers. Appropriate use of universal precautions significantly correlated with a worker's perceived risk of exposure (positively correlated), the belief that HIV is easy to "catch" (negatively correlated), and the extent of the worker's involvement with HIV-infected patients (positively correlated). Use of universal precautions was not found to be significantly correlated with belief in universal precautions as a reasonable way to protect oneself from contracting HIV in the workplace. Recommendations are made for increasing appropriate use of universal precautions.