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Compliance with Universal Precautions among emergency department personnel: implications for prevention programs
L E Kim1, B A Evanoff, R L Parks
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Background:
We developed a 50-item questionnaire to assess emergency department (ED) staff members' knowledge of bloodborne pathogen transmission, compliance with Universal Precautions, and the use of personal protective equipment.
Method:
A questionnaire was administered to 103 ED staff members including physicians, nurses, and technicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis, a Level-I trauma center.
Results:
ED personnel had inadequate knowledge of bloodborne pathogen infection risk, underreported exposures, and underused personal protection equipment during trauma cases.
Conclusion:
Further educational interventions for ED personnel are needed to increase their compliance with Universal Precautions.