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Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) can improve healthcare workers' (HCWs) adherence to universal precautions (UPs), reducing infection risks. By addressing noncompliance factors and promoting safer practices, CNSs enhance patient and HCW safety.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare-associated infections
- Occupational safety in healthcare
Background:
- Healthcare workers (HCWs) face significant risks of acquiring infections from blood and body fluids, including HIV, HBV, HCV, and TB.
- Universal Precautions (UPs) were established by the CDC to prevent blood-borne pathogen transmission, but adherence remains a challenge in hospital settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in enhancing the practice of UPs among HCWs.
- To identify risk-taking behaviors and decision-making challenges faced by HCWs regarding UPs.
- To propose strategies for improving HCW compliance with UPs.
Main Methods:
- The abstract does not specify the methods used in the study.
Main Results:
- Noncompliance with UPs is attributed to habit, forgetfulness, managerial influence, and perceived procedural hindrances.
- Suggested improvements include stricter enforcement, mandatory policies, accessible supplies, safer devices, and focused discussions on decision-making in risky situations.
Conclusions:
- CNSs are uniquely positioned to influence HCW behavior and improve UP compliance due to their clinical expertise and credibility.
- CNSs can effect change through role modeling, collaboration, and by guiding HCWs in high-risk situations.
Abstract:
HEALTH CARE WORKERS (HCWs) are at risk for acquiring infections such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis from blood and body fluids. The Centers for Disease Control established guidelines known as universal precautions (UPs) to prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens in hospital settings, but UPs are not universally followed. CNSs are in a unique position to enhance the practice of UPs and decrease the HCW's risk-taking behavior. CNSs need to identify risk-taking behaviors and help HCWs make the right decision in risky situations. Reasons cited for noncompliance with UPs were habit, forgetfulness, influence of the nurse manager, and perceptions that barrier precautions hinder the ability to perform procedures successfully. Suggestions for improving compliance with UPs were better enforcement of guidelines, a policy mandating compliance, easy and available access to supplies, replacement of hazardous devices with safer ones, and discussion with HCWs on decision making in risky situations. CNSs possess the credibility in the clinical arena to effect change through clinical expertise, role modeling, and collaboration with HCWs.