Factors Influencing Emergency Department Nurses' Compliance with Standard Precautions for Infection Control During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: This study explored the impact of infection control knowledge, attitude, and fatigue on compliance with standard precautions (SPs) among emergency department (ED) nurses.Methods: A descriptive survey design was used with 151 ED nurses from one tertiary hospital and six general hospitals located in C province and D city in South Korea as participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics, version 29.0. Associations were examined using Pearson correlation coefficients, and factors influencing compliance with SPs were determined through multiple regression analysis.Results: Compliance with SPs had a statistically significant positive correlation with infection control attitudes (r=0.65, p<.001). Regression analysis confirmed that two variables-infection control attitude (β=.59, p<.001) and hospital type (β=-.22, p<.001)-had significant effects on participants’ compliance with SPs. These variables had a total explanatory power of 46% (F=64.94, p<.001).Conclusion: This study identified infection control attitudes as a key factor influencing compliance with SPs. Therefore, programs such as ongoing education and campaigns to promote positive infection control attitudes are needed to improve compliance with SPs, and the impact of these programs should be evaluated.