Universal precautions guideline: self-reported compliance by gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal endoscopy nurses--a decade's lack of progress.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to assess and compare the Universal Precaution (UP) practices of gastroenterologists (GE) and GI endoscopy nurses (GIEN).


METHODS
We mailed a 23-item questionnaire to 250 GE and GIEN selected, respectively, from the American Board of Internal Medicine online directory and the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates membership directory.


RESULTS
A total of 77 (31%) GE and 157 (60%) GIEN responded. In all, 32% of GE and 50% of GIEN washed their hands before and after handling every patient (p<0.01), and 5% of GE and 30% of GIEN wore gloves during all patient contacts (p<0.01). Fewer GE than GIEN used face shields for all procedures (14% vs 21%; p=0.02). Protective gowns were worn during all procedures by 29% of GE and 46% of GIEN (p<0.01). More GE than GIEN either did not recap used needles or used the one-handed "scoop" technique (85% vs 77%; p=0.02). When asked to give an overall assessment, 46% of GE and 60% of GIEN reported that they always complied with UP (p=0.06). Profession, age, gender, hours of daily patient contact, and adequacy of staffing did not affect compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
GIEN adhered to UP recommendations better than GE regarding most items queried except in the handling of used needles. Nonetheless, for both groups, compliance with proper hand washing and use of gloves, face shields, and gowns was very poor, and handling of used needles was satisfactory.
Angtuaco
Terence L
TL
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-7199, USA.
Oprescu
Florinela G
FG
Lal
Sunil K
SK
Pennington
Jaymie H
JH
Russell
Brady D
BD
Co
Jennifer M
JM
Howden
Colin W
CW
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011336:Probability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016635:Universal Precautions / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*