Awareness of nursing staff about standard precautions and isolation

Regarding incremental trend in infections transmitted by blood or other body secretions, and evolving infectious diseases such as avian influenza and SARS, and keeping in mind that health care personnel including nurses are at high risk of being infected, Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended standard precautions for all infectious diseases and isolation in cases of specific diseases. Aims of this study were to asses and determine knowledge and information of nursing staff on isolation and standard precautions. In a descriptive study, 191 nurses of educational hospitals completed a questionnaire consisting 12 questions about standard precautions and isolation recommended by CDC. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire was good and Kronbach alpha was measured 82%. Questionnaire scored 12 points and the responders were divided in 4 categories, including well, intermediate, weak, and very weak. The data were analyzed by EpiInfo2000 with t-test, chi-square and Fisher exact test. Of 191 nurses, 169 were female, 13 were male and 9 persons didn’t identify their gender. 56% worked in a general hospital, 28.2% in children's hospital, 12.6% in obstetrics and gynecology hospital and 3.2% in psychiatric hospital. Average score was 6.9±1.6 out of 12 points. 4.2% scored well, 57.6% intermediate, 35.1% weak and 3.1% very weak. Correct isolation and standard precautions need sufficient knowledge, and nurses and healthcare workers should have more detailed and comprehensive education in this field.