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Standard precautions offer a consistent approach to infection control that does not rely on knowledge or suspicion of infection, and contributes to staff and patient safety by reducing the risk of exposure to potentially infectious material. One of the cornerstones of standard precautions is the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated. However, evidence suggests that compliance with standard precautions including correct use of PPE is inadequate. Demographic and epidemiological changes in the UK, and the drive to provide more complex patient care outside acute hospitals may lead to increased infection risks for both patients and community healthcare workers. This review examines the importance and use of PPE by community nurses and discusses the implications for practice of poor compliance with standard precautions. Recommendations for practice will be made aimed at improving compliance with this important element of standard precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard precautions are imperative for staff and patient safety and provide a basis for sound infection control practice in all health-care settings. One key element of these precautions relates to the safe handling and management of sharps to prevent occupational acquisition of blood-borne viral infection. Many inoculation injuries could be avoided by following standard precautions whenever contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated. However, evidence suggests that compliance with standard precautions is inadequate. With the modernization of the health service in the UK, community health care is becoming more complex, potentially increasing the risk of inoculation injury to community nurses. Although compliance with standard precautions in hospitals is well documented, there is limited research specific to community nurses. This review examines compliance with standard precautions by community nurses and discusses some strategies aimed at improving compliance with one of the key elements of standard precautions, i.e. sharps management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard precautions are imperative for staff and patient safety and provide a basis for sound infection control practice in all health-care settings. One key element of these precautions relates to the safe handling and management of sharps to prevent occupational acquisition of blood-borne viral infection. Many inoculation injuries could be avoided by following standard precautions whenever contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated. However, evidence suggests that compliance with standard precautions is inadequate. With the modernization of the health service in the UK, community health care is becoming more complex, potentially increasing the risk of inoculation injury to community nurses. Although compliance with standard precautions in hospitals is well documented, there is limited research specific to community nurses. This review examines compliance with standard precautions by community nurses and discusses some strategies aimed at improving compliance with one of the key elements of standard precautions, i.e. sharps management.