Factors Promoting Consistent Adherence to Safe Needle Precautions Among Hospital Workers

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To examine organizational factors and occupational characteristics associated with adherence to occupational safety guid elines recommending never recapping needles. Design: Mail surveys were conducted with healthcare workers (HCWs) and infection control profes sionals (ICPs). Setting: The surveys were conducted at all non-federal general hospitals in Iowa, except one tertiary-care hospital. Survey data were linked to annual survey data of the American Hospital Associ ation (AHA). Participants: HCWs were sampled from statewide rosters of physicians, nurses, and laboratory workers in Iowa. Eligible HCWs wor ked in a setting and position in which they were likely to routinely h andle needles. ICPs at all hospitals in the state were surveyed. Resul ts: Ninety-nine ICPs responded (79% response rate). AHA data were avai lable for all variables from 84 (85%) of the hospitals. Analyses were based on 1,454 HCWs who identified one of these hospitals as their pri mary hospital (70% response rate). Analyses were conducted using multi ple logistic regression. Positive predictors of consistent adherence i ncluded infection control personnel hours per full-time–equivalent emp loyee (odds ratio [OR], 1.03), frequency of standard precautions educa tion (OR, 1.11), facilities providing personal protective equipment (O R, 1.82), facilities using needleless intravenous systems (OR, 1.42), and management support for safety (OR, 1.05). Negative predictors were use of “blood and body fluid precautions” isolation category (OR, 0.7 4) and increased job demands (OR, 0.90). Conclusion: Healthcare organi zations can improve staff safety by investing wisely in educational pr ograms regarding approaches to minimize these risks, providing protect ive equipment, and eliminating the use of blood and body fluid precaut ions as an isolation policy.