Other Titles
PechaKucha Presentation
Abstract
Background: Nurses (RNs) are at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) like HIV and Hepatitis B and C. In 2023 at a Sacramento, CA level I trauma center there were 412 BBP exposures (BBPEs) reported, 143 involving RNs, costing the institution well over $700,000 on lab costs and exposure medications. Indirect costs of these exposures include lost work time, anxiety, and job burnout. BBPEs can be prevented with safety devices, best practices, and PPE use. Preventable BBPEs occur due to a lack of knowledge of these best practices. Prior to this project at this institution there was no in-person education at time of RN hire to review best practices to prevent BBPEs.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement the best evidence of BBP practices to increase knowledge among new hire RNs through in-person education.
Action Plan: In January 2023 a literature search was conducted. The literature was appraised and based on the evidence best practices include prevention education at time of hire in multi-modal methods discussing BBP information, how to prevent BBPEs, and what to do if an exposure occurs. The Occupational and Employee Health Exposure RN used these recommendations to create and present training during new hire RN orientation. This in-person education for new hire RNs includes a 15-minute presentation, question and answer session, and distribution of badge buddies. The new hire RNs complete a knowledge assessment survey prior to and immediately following the presentation.
Results: Over 12 sessions from January to June 2024 new hire RNs completed 154 pre- and 128 post-education surveys. Improvements were noted in every single question ranging from 16 to 54% increase in correct responses. Most notable, there was a 28% increase in RNs reporting to feeling very or extremely knowledgeable about being able to prevent BBPEs compared to pre-education.
Conclusion/Future: Utilizing the evidence to implement in-person education resulted in an improvement in new hire RN knowledge of BBPEs. Implications for RNs include a safer work environment and sustained careers. Future study should include review of the number of exposures reported by new hire RNs who have received this training versus those who have not. Future work should include expanding this education to all current RNs who did not receive this training at time of hire to ensure all RNs are educated to best protect themselves from BBPEs.
Notes
References: 1) Auta, A., Adewuyi, E. O., Tor-Anyiin, A., Edor, J. P., Kureh, G. T., Khanal, V., Oga, E., & Adeloye, D. (2018). Global prevalence of percutaneous injuries among healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(6), 1972–1980. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyy208
2) Aziz, A.-M. (2018). Do training and needle-safety devices prevent needlestick injuries? A systematised review of the literature. British Journal of Nursing, 27(16), 944–952. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2018.27.16.944
3) Cheetham, S., Ngo, H. T., Liira, J., & Liira, H. (2021). Education and training for preventing sharps injuries and splash exposures in healthcare workers. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4(4), CD012060. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012060.pub2
4) Grimmond, T., & Good, L. (2019). EXPO-S.T.O.P. 2016 and 2017 blood exposure surveys: An alarming rise. American Journal of Infection Control, 47(12), 1465–1470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2019.07.004
5) Gurria, J. P., Nolan, H., Polites, S., Threlkeld, M., Arata, K., Phipps, L., Muth, A., & Falcone, R. A., Jr (2019). Don't Get Stuck: A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Perioperative Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure. Joint Commission journal on quality and patient safety, 45(5), 329–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2018.12.002
Sigma Membership
Zeta Eta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Transition to Practice, Onboarding, Bloodborne Pathogens Prevention
Recommended Citation
MacMurphey, Alyssa, "Utilizing Evidence to Increase Knowledge of Best Practices to Prevent Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 87.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/87
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Utilizing Evidence to Increase Knowledge of Best Practices to Prevent Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Background: Nurses (RNs) are at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) like HIV and Hepatitis B and C. In 2023 at a Sacramento, CA level I trauma center there were 412 BBP exposures (BBPEs) reported, 143 involving RNs, costing the institution well over $700,000 on lab costs and exposure medications. Indirect costs of these exposures include lost work time, anxiety, and job burnout. BBPEs can be prevented with safety devices, best practices, and PPE use. Preventable BBPEs occur due to a lack of knowledge of these best practices. Prior to this project at this institution there was no in-person education at time of RN hire to review best practices to prevent BBPEs.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement the best evidence of BBP practices to increase knowledge among new hire RNs through in-person education.
Action Plan: In January 2023 a literature search was conducted. The literature was appraised and based on the evidence best practices include prevention education at time of hire in multi-modal methods discussing BBP information, how to prevent BBPEs, and what to do if an exposure occurs. The Occupational and Employee Health Exposure RN used these recommendations to create and present training during new hire RN orientation. This in-person education for new hire RNs includes a 15-minute presentation, question and answer session, and distribution of badge buddies. The new hire RNs complete a knowledge assessment survey prior to and immediately following the presentation.
Results: Over 12 sessions from January to June 2024 new hire RNs completed 154 pre- and 128 post-education surveys. Improvements were noted in every single question ranging from 16 to 54% increase in correct responses. Most notable, there was a 28% increase in RNs reporting to feeling very or extremely knowledgeable about being able to prevent BBPEs compared to pre-education.
Conclusion/Future: Utilizing the evidence to implement in-person education resulted in an improvement in new hire RN knowledge of BBPEs. Implications for RNs include a safer work environment and sustained careers. Future study should include review of the number of exposures reported by new hire RNs who have received this training versus those who have not. Future work should include expanding this education to all current RNs who did not receive this training at time of hire to ensure all RNs are educated to best protect themselves from BBPEs.
Description
Nurses (RNs) are at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The literature reflects that best practices, including education, can prevent these exposures. Implementation of prevention training reflected an improvement in knowledge of best practices among new hire RNs at a Sacramento, California teaching hospital. Preventing these exposures will protect RNs, create healthier work environments, and sustain RNs’ careers.