Evaluation of infection prevention and control preparedness in acute care nurses: Factors influencing adherence to standard precautions

Background: It is essential to identify factors that affect adherence to standard precautions, which could increase risk of occupational exposure to pathogens. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Nurses (n = 241) in an acute care hospital completed the survey including the Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions Scale (FIASPS) (total possible scores in each domain ranged from 5 to 25) and the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) (total possible scores ranged from 0 to 20). Results: Results showed moderate influence of the judgement (mean = 14.04, SD = 4.04), leadership (M = 14.58, SD 3.78), and culture/practice (M = 12.61, SD = 3.18) factors; high score on contextual cues (M = 15.77, SD = 3.60); and low score on justification (M = 5.76, SD = 4.57). The overall mean CSPS score was 76.68% (SD 13.82). There was a significant negative relationship between justification for non-use of standard precautions and nurses' adherence with standard precautions (r =-0.24, p < 0.001). A significant positive relationship was reported between the leadership factor (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), cultural practice factor in FIASPS (r = 0.24, p < 0.001) and nurse' adherence with standard precautions. Conclusion: Nurses would benefit from regular training sessions to reiterate the infection control guidelines and the need to abide to them. Encouraging nurses to be role models serves to increase the adherence to SPs in their colleagues. Organization should continue with strict enforcement of policies with monitoring. (C) 2020 Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study identified various factors influencing nurses' adherence to standard precautions, including judgment, leadership, cultural practice, contextual cues, and justification. There were differences in adherence among nurses, and factors like leadership and cultural practice showed a significant positive relationship with adherence to standard precautions among nurses.