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A work-systems analysis of compliance with universal precautions among health care workers.

DeJoy DM; Gershon RRM; Murphy LR; Wilson MG

Health Educ Q 1996 May; 23(2):159-174

https://doi.org/10.1177/109019819602300203

20034876

Universal precautions are work practices designed to protect health care workers from occupational exposure to HIV and other bloodborne pathogens. However, despite aggressive dissemination efforts by CDC and regulatory action by OSHA, compliance remains less than satisfactory. This article argues that the minimization of risk from bloodborne pathogens requires a multilevel or work-systems perspective that considers individual, job/task, and environmental/organizational factors. The available literature on universal precautions suggests the potential of such an approach and provides insight into the limited success of current worker-focused mitigation efforts. In particular, specific opportunities exist to develop and apply engineering controls, to improve the design and organization of jobs and tasks, and to create organizations that facilitate and reinforce safe behavior.

Safety-practices; Health-care-personnel; Disease-transmission; Protective-measures; Health-care-facilities; AIDS-virus; Occupational-exposure; Regulations; Viral-infections; Bloodborne-pathogens; Work-environment; Work-practices; Worker-health; Workplace-studies; Safety-education; Safety-measures; Safety-practices; Safety-programs

David M. DeJoy, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, 300 River Road, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-3422

19960501

Journal Article

dmdejoy@uga.cc.uga.edu

1996

2

0195-8402

DBBS

Health Education Quarterly

OH; GA