Adherence to Universal Precautions Among Nurses at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar: A Cross-Sectional Study on Infection Control Practices

Background: The preventive strategy known as universal precautions (UPs) serves as a fundamental barrier to stopping healthcare-acquired infections and blood-borne pathogens. However, the adherence levels to UPs among nurses prove inconsistent even in developing nations, particularly Pakistan. Methodology: The research took place from March to June 2023 inside Lady Reading Hospital. Two hundred twenty nurses participated in this study through random sampling. The survey utilized validated questions to evaluate nurses’ UP-related skills and behaviors, specifically concerning hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and their abilities to prevent sharp injuries. The researchers employed descriptive and inferential statistical approaches to analyze their study data. Results: Research findings indicated that nurses demonstrated a good understanding of UPs by reaching 72.4% while achieving a 90% success rate in washing their hands after contact with blood or contaminated material. Few nurses (7.7%) followed standard practices for wearing goggles on the PPE equipment. Generally, training about UPs was received by 26.4% of nurses. Nurses reported experiencing sharp injuries at a rate of 66.8%, according to the study results, although 76.2% neglected to document these incidents since they lacked an understanding of correct reporting protocols. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals displayed sufficient knowledge about UPs but showed unsatisfactory practice levels, specifically in PPE use.