title: Healthcare workers' knowledge of inoculation injuries and glove use.
abstract: Healthcare workers' (HCWs') occupational risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens has been well documented. Subsequent educational programmes, awareness campaigns and policy implementation made limited impact on HCWs' level of knowledge of these risks and compliance with universal precautions. Two hundred HCWs completed a questionnaire to evaluate their level of knowledge. Results demonstrated that despite a comprehensive educational programme for nurses and training for medical staff, knowledge of inoculation injuries and associated issues remained inadequate. Indeed, policies and procedures were not followed. Furthermore, gloves were not routinely worn in the clinical setting. Educational programmes ware essential to inform HCWs of occupational risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and guide practice following an inoculation injury. However, efficacy of such programmes must be reviewed, alternative strategies evaluated, and the cause of HCWs' limited knowledge determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Birmingham.
authors.forename: Joanna C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Trim
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: T S J
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016635:Universal Precautions