Abstract
Anaesthetists are a group of doctors who are at a higher occupational risk of contracting blood borne infections as they perform many invasive procedures. Practice of Universal Precautions (UP) is vital in reducing the risk of transmission. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and compliance among anaesthetists of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) on UP and related issues. Information was collected from 97 anaesthetists at the NHSL using a structured questionnaire. Knowledge and practice of UP was assessed separately through specific questions. The average percentage mark of the 97 respondents on their knowledge on UP was 77.43% with a standard deviation of 13.84. Approximately, 68% of the respondents obtained above-average marks. With regard to practise of UP, 61% of the respondents had their total coded mark within the range from 14 to 16 out of the possible maximum of 21. There was no significant correlation between knowledge and practice. Only 15% of the population wore gloves during all procedures at OT, and 46% has stated that it is comfortable to work without gloves as the reason for not wearing. Based on these results, it is concluded that there is appreciable room for improvement of knowledge and practice of UP among anaesthetists. The study further revealed that knowledge and practice of UP is not related to gender or experience, which indicated that it is probably a personal trait of each respondent, depending on the discipline and application of each individual. Key words: risk of transmission; blood-borne infections; universal precautions; experience; gender; wearing of gloves DOI: 10.4038/slja.v18i2.2446 Sri Lankan Journal of Anaesthesiology 18(2): 104-112 (2010)
Highlights
Anaesthetists are at a higher risk in getting accidental needle stick injuries[1], when compared to other doctors as they are frequently involved with critically ill patients and perform venepuncture, insertion of arterial lines, CV catheters, vascaths for renal replacement etc
It is critical that they have the knowledge to minimize the risk of transmission, by following Universal Precautions (UP) and other standard practices, like proper handling and disposal of sharps
Study population All anaesthetists including trainees who came for duty at National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) during the month of April 2008 were included
Summary
Anaesthetists are at a higher risk in getting accidental needle stick injuries[1], when compared to other doctors as they are frequently involved with critically ill patients and perform venepuncture, insertion of arterial lines, CV catheters, vascaths for renal replacement etc. It is critical that they have the knowledge to minimize the risk of transmission, by following Universal Precautions (UP) and other standard practices, like proper handling and disposal of sharps. UP are the basic steps recommended to prevent blood-borne infections among health care workers, which include barrier precautions such as wearing non-porous gloves, aprons, masks, eye protectors and hand washing. It is recommended to change gloves after contact of each patient or when they are contaminated. Hands and other skin surfaces need to be washed as soon as practical if contacted with body fluids requiring UP, and after removing gloves. Contaminated needles should never be recapped or removed from disposable syringes, and need to be discarded into puncture resistant container placed, as close as practical to the user area
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