Nonika Rajkumari1, Purva Mathur2, Jacinta Gunjiyal3, Mahesh Chandra Misra4. 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research , Puducherry, India . 2. Additional Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine (Microbiology Division), Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India . 3. Nursing-in-Charge, Hospital Infection Control, Hospital Infection Control Unit, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India . 4. Professor, Department of Surgical Disciplines, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to sharps and splashes pose a major hazard among health care workers (HCWs); so knowledge and awareness regarding sharps/splashes by blood and potentially infectious body fluids (BBF) is a must. Hence, the study was done to assess the extent of knowledge of the staff and using awareness classes and hands on practice as a model to increase awareness as well as prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective interventional cohort study, using before - after trial, was conducted in a Level I trauma care centre. All cadres of HCWs were enrolled randomly into 5 different groups of 15 each. This study was conducted in 2 phases - interactive classes and hands on practice (Phase I) and questionnaire assessment and work area observation (phase II). This was repeated twice and the final outcome was analysed. A systematic level of grading was used to assess the improvement. RESULTS: It was observed that Group 1 (doctors) and group 2 (nurses) had the maximum knowledge about such exposures and its prevention compared to the other groups (groups 3, 4 and 5) during the initial assessment (Phase I). The remaining groups showed a major improvement after the 2(nd) assessment, though their knowledge was poor in the beginning. Groups 1and 2 showed 32% and remaining groups showed a 25% improvement in voluntary reporting after the second assessment (Phase II). CONCLUSION: Awareness classes and hands on practice are indeed useful in generating knowledge about sharps/ splashes. Certain incentives given at right time can improve it further.
BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to sharps and splashes pose a major hazard among health care workers (HCWs); so knowledge and awareness regarding sharps/splashes by blood and potentially infectious body fluids (BBF) is a must. Hence, the study was done to assess the extent of knowledge of the staff and using awareness classes and hands on practice as a model to increase awareness as well as prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective interventional cohort study, using before - after trial, was conducted in a Level I trauma care centre. All cadres of HCWs were enrolled randomly into 5 different groups of 15 each. This study was conducted in 2 phases - interactive classes and hands on practice (Phase I) and questionnaire assessment and work area observation (phase II). This was repeated twice and the final outcome was analysed. A systematic level of grading was used to assess the improvement. RESULTS: It was observed that Group 1 (doctors) and group 2 (nurses) had the maximum knowledge about such exposures and its prevention compared to the other groups (groups 3, 4 and 5) during the initial assessment (Phase I). The remaining groups showed a major improvement after the 2(nd) assessment, though their knowledge was poor in the beginning. Groups 1and 2 showed 32% and remaining groups showed a 25% improvement in voluntary reporting after the second assessment (Phase II). CONCLUSION: Awareness classes and hands on practice are indeed useful in generating knowledge about sharps/ splashes. Certain incentives given at right time can improve it further.
Entities:
Keywords:
Awareness; Health care workers; Interactive classes; Needlestick injuries; Prophylaxis; Voluntary reporting
Authors: Helmut J F Salzer; Martin Hoenigl; Harald H Kessler; Florian L Stigler; Reinhard B Raggam; Karoline E Rippel; Hubert Langmann; Martin Sprenger; Robert Krause Journal: Int J Hyg Environ Health Date: 2011-06-12 Impact factor: 5.840
Authors: Sabine Wicker; Juliane Jung; Regina Allwinn; René Gottschalk; Holger F Rabenau Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2007-07-10 Impact factor: 3.015