Facial protection in renal dialysis units: a literature review
By Lorraine Bublitz, Renal Society of Australasia Journal, Nov. 2005
Abstract
Aim The aim of this paper is to raise awareness and critically evaluate the need for greater facial barrier protection, in order to reduce the frequency of mucocutaneous exposure for health care workers in renal dialysis units (RDU).
Method A literature review of published literature related to the use and application of standard precautions was conducted, focusing on facial barrier protection for health care workers (HCW) in various health care settings.
Findings Despite renal dialysis nurses having considerable risk of permucosal (splash) contamination the overwhelming literature discusses this exposure in a variety of other health care settings. HCW level of compliance to standard precautions, particularly the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) requires significant improvement. There is an urgent need for PPE to be more suitable and easily accessible to the HCW in order to prevent interference with patient procedures, and promote compliance of standard precautions.
Conclusion The literature confirms that HCW in RDU are at risk of exposure to blood borne infections. HCW rarely fully implement and comply with standard precautions in regards to application of PPE in various health care settings however further research is required to determine compliance in renal dialysis units. Facial barrier protection requires significant and urgent redesign in suitability, safety and accessibility in order for HCW to fully embrace its use.
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