PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the intensive care unit nurses' knowledge of and compliance with the standard precautions (universal precaution) as stated in infection control guidelines. METHOD: From September 14 to September 28, 2006, data were collected via a questionnaire survey from 189 Intensive Care Unit nurses working at three university branch hospitals and one general hospital in Gyeonggi province. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 18.8/20.0 (93.9%). The mean compliance score was 3.4/4.0 (85.8%). Two factors influencing compliance were perception of the standard precautions and experience of needle stick injuries over the past year (p<.05). Two factors influencing knowledge were support of co-workers in the use of protective devices and the availability of hand-washing device or waterless alcohol gel (p<.05). CONCLUSION: In order to improve knowledge and compliance with standard precautions, all factors of importance for knowledge and compliance must be taken into consideration in the clinical work place and in education.
Compliance ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, Satellite ; Hypogonadism ; Infection Control ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Needlestick Injuries ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Protective Devices ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universal Precautions ; Workplace

No abstract available.
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