Document 0374
 DOCN  M9550374
 TI    Clinical practice and the perceived importance of identifying high risk
       patients.
 DT    9505
 AU    Cockcroft A; Elford J; Department of Occupational Health, Royal Free
       Hospital and School; of Medicine, London, UK.
 SO    J Hosp Infect. 1994 Oct;28(2):127-36. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95146755
 AB    The Royal Free NHS Trust is implementing a Universal Precautions policy
       for blood and body fluids. Anticipating the introduction of this policy,
       a questionnaire was sent to a sample of staff and students who work with
       patients or clinical specimens. The questionnaire covered: views about
       identifying 'high risk' patients and specimens; perceived risks of human
       immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B infection from blood
       exposures; and current practices to avoid exposure to blood. Over half
       the respondents thought it important to identify high risk patients and
       specimens. Such respondents were more likely to overestimate the risks
       of HIV and hepatitis B virus transmission after blood exposures, they
       were less likely to wear gloves and more likely to resheathe needles.
       Although two-thirds of respondents thought Universal Precautions would
       reduce their risk of blood-borne infections, they identified a number of
       reasons why it would be difficult for them to practice it. Those who
       thought it important to identify high risk patients gave more reasons
       than other respondents. This survey indicates that many staff believe it
       is important to identify high risk patients and this belief seems to
       influence clinical practice. In order to implement a policy of Universal
       Precautions successfully, it is necessary to address underlying beliefs
       as well as giving staff information and training.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*TRANSMISSION  Attitude of Health
       Personnel  Blood-Borne Pathogens  Body Fluids/VIROLOGY  Comparative
       Study  Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL  Hepatitis B/*TRANSMISSION  Human  Infection Control/*STANDARDS
       London  Personnel, Hospital/PSYCHOLOGY/STANDARDS  Questionnaires  Risk
       Factors  Risk-Taking  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Universal
       Precautions/*METHODS  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).