Effect of An Educational Guidelines on Compliance level Regarding Standard Precautions Measures among the Operating Room Nurses

Background: The Operating Room (OR) is considered one of the high-risk areas in
hospital that encounter high rate of infection and mortality. Standard precautions considered as
barriers and work practice controls established to prevent sharp injuries and blood exposure. Aim:
This study aims to assess the effect of an educational guideline on compliance level regarding
standard precautions measures among the operating room nurses. Research design: A quasi-
experimental design was used in this study. Setting: The present study was conducted at the
operating room unit at El-Hussein University Hospital. Subjects: A convenience sample of all
available nurses (40) who are working in operating room unit at El-Hussein University Hospital
and accept to be in the study was selected as a study sample. Data collection tools: Nurses'
structured self-administered questionnaire, nurses' compliance self-reported scale and nurses'
practices observational checklist. Results: Regarding the total level of knowledge and practices
regarding to infection control among operating room nurses the present study reported that all of
the study nurses had unsatisfactory level of total knowledge and practices at pre educational
guidelines implementation phase, while this level was improved at post and follow up phases.
Regarding the total compliance level with standard precautions, the present study revealed that all
of the study nurses had low level of total compliance pre educational guidelines implementation
phase, while compliance level was improved at post and follow up phases. Regarding correlation
between total level of knowledge, practice and compliance with standard precautions measures
post educational guidelines implementation, the present study showed that there was highly
positive correlation between total level of knowledge, practices and compliance with standard
precautions measures among the operating room nurses post educational guidelines
implementation. Conclusion: This study concluded that the educational guidelines for nurses’ in
the operating room was effective in improving their compliance level (knowledge, practices and
self-reported compliance) regarding standard precaution measures, so the study results supporting
the hypothesis of the present study. Recommendation: The importance of periodic in-service
training program for nurses in OR regarding compliance standard precautions of infection control
for continues updating their knowledge and focusing on areas of non-compliance and close
supervision is needed to ensure that quality of care is provided by nurses while compliance
standard precautions of infection control.