Factors influencing the performance of standard precautions for healthcare-associated infections by the nurses in intensive care units

Background: In intensive care units, nurses’ management of healthcare-related infections is an important task that affects patient recovery, length of hospitalization, and medical costs. This study aimed to examine the relationships among health beliefs, knowledge, and performance related to standard precautions, and the factors influencing performance of standard precautions of intensive care unit nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Participants were 113 nurses with three months or over of work experience in the intensive care units (ICU) at the K University Hospital in South Korea. Measures were the general characteristics list, the health beliefs scale, the knowledge scale, and the performance scale of standard precautions. Data were collected from October to December, 2023. Data were analyzed using SPSS PC + version 29.0 statistical software program. Results: The health beliefs of standard precautions (β = 0.40, P < 0.001), work experience in the current department (β = 0.24, P = 0.019), and educational background (β = -0.23, P < 0.044) were statistically significant factors influencing performance of standard precautions of ICU nurses. The explanatory power of the final regression model was 47.0%. Conclusion: The health beliefs of standard precautions were important factor associated with performance of standard precautions of ICU nurses. Interventions strengthening health beliefs of standard precautions could improve performance of standard precautions. Increasing work experience in the current department and educational level need to be considered when developing and implementing interventions. ICU nurses should pay attention to factors influencing performance of standard precautions in hospital.