Psychometric testing of compliance with universal precautions scale in clinical nursing

摘要

This study examines the reliability and validity of the compliance with Universal Precautions scale (UPs scale) in measuring the compliance of clinical nurses and nursing students with universal precautions.Universal precautions (UPs) are specific with regard to the protection of frontline healthcare professionals against parenteral, mucosal and dermal exposure to pathogens from the blood and other body fluids of patients [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1988]. The practice of UPs applies the principles of infection control concepts through hand washing, using appropriate protective barriers (e.g. masks, gloves, gowns and goggles) and safe handling of sharp objects. These are done to prevent direct contact with pathogens from the patients' blood and other body fluids containing potentially infectious materials (CDC 1988).