Working awareness of healthcare workers regarding sterilisation, disinfection, and transmission of bloodborne infections and device-related infections at a tertiary care referral centre in north India.

摘要

Several studies have assessed the knowledge of healthcare workers (HCWs) as a prequel to designing systematic infection control programmes. Information about HCWs, knowledge and attitudes in relation to various aspects of nosocomial infections reveal significant variation and deficiency in these areas. Even when procedures are routine, knowledge and expertise of staff should not be assumed. This was well demonstrated in a survey of blood pressure measurement, which found that many nurses did not understand or perform the technique properly. In developing countries, the level of awareness regarding healthcare-associated infections is reported to be low. In addition, exposure to bloodborne pathogens from sharps injuries continues to pose a significant risk to HCWs.