Improving Nurses' Compliance with Isolation and Standard Precautions: An Educational Intervention

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of education on nurses’ compliance with standardization and isolation precautions. Methods: The study employs a pre-test post-test design. The study was conducted between September 2022 and September 2023 with 100 nurses in the intensive care and isolation units of a public hospital where patients with confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted. Data were collected utilising the Standard Precautions Compliance Scale and the Isolation Precautions Compliance Scale. The compliance of nurses with standard and isolation methods was examined in both time periods. Results: The mean total score of the Compliance to Isolation Measures Scale was higher after the education (T1=55.39±7.39, T2=77.50±9.68; t=8.372, p<0.001). The mean total score of the Compliance to Standard Precautions Scale was higher after the education (T1=10.38±2.46, T2=14.43±4.29; t=6.298, p<0.001) Conclusion: Education on the importance of using personal protective equipment, isolation, and compliance with standard precautions led to an increase in the variety and usage rates of nurses’ protective equipment. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.