[Evaluation of the knowledge and attitudes to the standard precautions for infection control of the healthcare workers of a Portuguese central and university hospital].
BACKGROUND
The Standard Precautions are measures to prevent healthcare workers' exposure to infectious agents, like HIV, HBV and HCV, through the routine use of techniques and appropriate barriers that reduce the exposure probability. These measures intend to prevent contact with blood and other fluids, potentially infected, contributing to the reduction of nosocomial infection.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and adherence to the standard precautions for infection control among the healthcare workers of the Hospital Geral de Santo António, through the application of a questionnaire. To identify the gaps of each professional group and clinical departments, in order to better define the needs to planning future education.


RESULTS
Of the total of 172 questionnaires, 7% did not know about the standard precautions, the majority from medical staff. Importantly 21% affirm recapping needles. Globally, a low level knowledge about the ways HIV, HBV and HCV is transmitted was verified, mostly regarding the possibility of transmission from dishes and other material necessary to give food to the patients. About 95% considered it important to wash the hands in several different situations but 21% are unaware of alternative alcoholic solutions.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a precarious knowledge of these measures, enhancing the risk of nosocomial infection and pointing to the need of specific education for all different health professionals.
Aires
Sofia
S
Comissão de Controlo de Infecção, Hospital Geral de Santo António, Porto.
Carvalho
Alice
A
Aires
Ernestina
E
Calado
Elsa
E
Aragão
Irene
I
Oliveira
Júlio
J
Polónia
António
A
Vasconcelos
Carlos
C
D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011174:Portugal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult