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. \n \nObjectives: 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. \n \nMaterials 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. \n \nResults: 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. \n \nConclusion: Deficient adherence to standard precautions among health-care providers warrants new induction and monitoring strategies.