Perceptions that influence occupational exposure reporting.
Statistics on health care workers' occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens underestimate the true extent of the problem because of a tendency for underreporting. A descriptive correlational design was used to investigate compliance with standard precautions and occupational exposure reporting practices among perioperative nurses in Australia. The study found that although intention to report both percutaneous and mucocutaneous exposures was relatively high, mean compliance rates for actually reporting exposures incurred were considerably lower. The perception of barriers to reporting significantly influenced compliance.
Osborne
Sonya
S
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Nursing and Women's Health Research Centre, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013527:Perioperative Nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D012308:Risk Management; D016635:Universal Precautions