Practices and Adherence of Nurses with Standard Precautions of Infection Control in Intensive Care Units of Public Sector Hospitals in Lahore

Abstract

<p>Abstract</p>
 <p>Background and objective: Severely ill patients are at a higher risk of carrying nosocomial infections especially when admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs). Therefore, it is the professional obligation of all health workers to adhere to the scientifically accepted criteria for infection control in clinical settings. This study was conducted to assess intensive care nurses’ adherence to standard precautions (SPs) and to assess the practices of SPs in intensive care.</p>
 <p>Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at ICUs of two public sector hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan, from March to September, 2022. A total of 150 nurses were selected for the study who worked in the medical-surgical, general, and specialized ICUs. The extent to which the behavior of a worker coincides with the prescribed standard (Adherence) and performing work repeatedly till it becomes a routine competency (Practice) was assessed using a structured questionnaire. The chi-square test was used to determine the link between adherence to SPs and the practice carried out by nurses. Data were analyzed and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant.</p>
 <p>Results: A total of 84.7% of nurses showed adherence while practice was demonstrated by 52.7% of nurses. No significant correlation (p-value:0.95) was however found between the practice and adherence to the SPs, despite the fact that a notable gap was observed between the practice and adherence to SPs among ICU nurses.</p>
 <p>Conclusion: It is concluded that a compromised adherence to SPs of infection control in ICUs of public sector hospitals in Lahore is exhibited by the nurses.</p>