Inter-professional differences in compliance with standard precautions in operating theatres: a multi-site, mixed...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare worker safety
• Occupational health
• Infection prevention and control

Background:

• Occupational acquisition of blood-borne infections is a risk for healthcare professionals exposed to blood or body fluids.
• Adherence to standard precautions is essential for minimizing infection transmission risks in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of adverse blood and body fluid exposures among surgeons and scrub nurses.
• To identify factors contributing to these exposures and assess compliance with standard precautions.
• To explore factors influencing adherence to safety protocols.

Main Methods:

• A multi-site, mixed-methods study was conducted in six NHS trusts in Wales.
• Data collection involved a cross-sectional postal survey of surgeons and scrub nurses, followed by interviews.
• Infection Control Nurses were interviewed via telephone to gather further insights.

Main Results:

• Nearly 70% of respondents reported inoculation injuries in the past five years, primarily sharps' injuries (58.1%).
• Surgeons and those perceiving injuries as an occupational hazard had a higher risk of sharps' injuries.
• Compliance with standard precautions was suboptimal, with significant variations in the use of safety devices, eye protection, and double gloving.

Conclusions:

• Significant inter-professional differences exist in exposure risks and compliance, necessitating tailored interventions.
• Enhanced training initiatives are required to modify risk perception and improve adherence to safety policies among surgical teams.
• Addressing these disparities is vital for improving surgical safety and reducing the incidence of occupational infections.