[Evaluation of occupational safety training effectiveness in healthcare workers].
OBJECTIVE
In Italy, Legislative Decree N.626/94 introduced new occupational safety rules and prevention measures to decrease or eliminate risk factors in workplaces. These issues are important even in the hospital setting where healthcare workers, especially nurses, are exposed to various hazardous substances and do not always follow the appropriate workplace safety practices. According to LD 626, safety training should be used to communicate and educate workers about occupational safety and health issues and modify at-risk behaviors. However, training effectiveness should be evaluated. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness, in terms of acquired knowledge, of a chemical/biological risk training course aimed at nurses and nursing students.


METHODS
Three groups of nurses and nursing students participated in the training course. Knowledge acquired by the participants was evaluated by means of pre- and post-tests. Post-tests were given immediately after the course and three months later.


RESULTS
The proposed evaluation method allowed us to identify and explain relevant occupational safety and health issues regarding chemical risk. Data analysis showed that the multimedial teaching method used was effective; in fact, the teaching method generated debate within the audience, and led to diffusion and consolidation of knowledge.
Giuliani
Anna Rita
AR
Dipartimento Medicina Interna e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di L'Aquila. annarita.giuliani@cc.univaq.it
Panopoulou
KiriaKoula
K
Perrotti
Alessia
A
Paoletti
Antonio
A
Leoni
Valerio
V
Fabiani
Leila
L
D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007558:Italy; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D013338:Students, Nursing; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace
D015386:Hazardous Substances