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Poor compliance with Standard Precautions against infections during minor gynaecological procedures
Author(s) -
Maharaj Dushyant,
Lawton Beverley,
Garrett Sue
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2012.01433.x
Subject(s) - splash , medicine , population , universal precautions , minor (academic) , emergency medicine , medical emergency , environmental health , family medicine , physics , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , meteorology , political science , law
Background Splash injuries occurring during minor surgical procedures are associated with a significant infective risk to the operator. It is a common misconception that minor operations carry low risks. Aim To determine the prevalence of the practice of Standard Precautions by medical staff in the obstetric and gynaecology ( O & G ) units of two hospitals in New Zealand, and to assess self‐observed splash injury rates. Method A cross‐sectional survey of all doctors working in the O & G units of two public hospitals servicing a population of 435 000. A self‐administered questionnaire was provided to 43 doctors with questions related to the use of Standard Precautions, perceived likelihood of infection from a splash and splash injuries sustained during procedures. Results The response rate was 76.6% ( n = 33/43). Of the respondents, only 30.3% ( n = 10) used Standard Precautions during minor procedures. Sixty‐four per cent ( n = 21) routinely used goggles/visor for eye protection. Forty‐five per cent ( n = 15) thought they were likely to get an infection from a splash, and 55% ( n = 18) of clinicians had experienced a splash injury. Of the minor procedures during which splash injuries had occurred, repair of episiotomy 45.8% ( n = 11) was the commonest. Conclusions This survey shows poor compliance with guidelines for Standard Precautions to protect from infection despite self‐reported rates of splash injury being high at 55%. Effective interventions are needed to increase compliance and prevent infection.