Standard precautions: Awareness, practice, and adherence among obstetrics and gynecology resident doctors of a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Infection control occupies a unique position in the field of patient safety since it is universally relevant to health care workers and patients at every single health-care encounter. Most of the healthcare-associated infections are preventable. Through this study, the awareness, practices, and adherence to standard precautions among the resident doctors were sought. Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows (1) To determine the level of awareness, practices, and adherence to standard precautions for infection control among resident doctors and (2) to determine factors affecting infection control. Materials and Methods: After obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee, an observational study was conducted among the resident doctors in the post-natal care ward (PNC) of a tertiary care hospital. Data collection was done using direct observations, a structured validated interview schedule, and discussions with 21 resident doctors working in the PNC. Results: About 71% of the study population had received a training in standard precautions. Specific infection control protocol as suggested in standard precautions was followed for infection control by 76% of the population. Hepatitis B vaccination coverage with three doses of the vaccine is only 66.6% in the study population. Good awareness in standard precautions considering all five elements together was seen in 57% of respondents. Good practice of standard precautions was seen in 52% of doctors. When the individual elements were considered separately, good practice was seen the least for waste disposal. Most respondents had good practice in hand hygiene and cough hygiene. Conclusion: Deficient adherence to standard precautions among health-care providers warrants new induction and monitoring strategies.