Effect of An Educational Guidelines on Compliance level Regarding Standard Precautions Measures among the Operating Room Nurses

Abstract

Background: The Operating Room (OR) is considered one of the high-risk areas in hospital that encounter high rate of infection and mortality. Standard precautions considered as barriers and work practice controls established to prevent sharp injuries and blood exposure. Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of an educational guideline on compliance level regarding standard precautions measures among the operating room nurses. Research design: A quasi- experimental design was used in this study. Setting: The present study was conducted at the operating room unit at El-Hussein University Hospital. Subjects: A convenience sample of all available nurses (40) who are working in operating room unit at El-Hussein University Hospital and accept to be in the study was selected as a study sample. Data collection tools: Nurses' structured self-administered questionnaire, nurses' compliance self-reported scale and nurses' practices observational checklist. Results: Regarding the total level of knowledge and practices regarding to infection control among operating room nurses the present study reported that all of the study nurses had unsatisfactory level of total knowledge and practices at pre educational guidelines implementation phase, while this level was improved at post and follow up phases. Regarding the total compliance level with standard precautions, the present study revealed that all of the study nurses had low level of total compliance pre educational guidelines implementation phase, while compliance level was improved at post and follow up phases. Regarding correlation between total level of knowledge, practice and compliance with standard precautions measures post educational guidelines implementation, the present study showed that there was highly positive correlation between total level of knowledge, practices and compliance with standard precautions measures among the operating room nurses post educational guidelines implementation. Conclusion: This study concluded that the educational guidelines for nurses’ in the operating room was effective in improving their compliance level (knowledge, practices and self-reported compliance) regarding standard precaution measures, so the study results supporting the hypothesis of the present study. Recommendation: The importance of periodic in-service training program for nurses in OR regarding compliance standard precautions of infection control for continues updating their knowledge and focusing on areas of non-compliance and close supervision is needed to ensure that quality of care is provided by nurses while compliance standard precautions of infection control.