Date of Award
12-2023
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Academic Program
Nursing BSN
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Mayantoinette Watson, Ph.D.
Advisor Department
Nursing
Abstract
Utilizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriately is critical in protecting nurses and patients from contracting infectious diseases. Poor compliance with PPE is associated with increased hospital-acquired infections and directly impacts infection control measures. This thesis delves into the perceptions of PPE compliance and awareness among medical-surgical nurses in South Mississippi. A quantitative study utilizing a 28-item survey was implemented. Likert-style and open-ended survey questions were completed by n=28 participants. Univariate analysis was used to determine compliance among each PPE item, awareness and confidence of PPE items, and whether there was a lack of training or a PPE shortage. Based on the findings of the analysis, compliance with goggles, face shields, and respirators was much lower than compliance with gloves, gowns, and surgical masks. The study also showed that 75% of participants experienced a PPE shortage. This study concluded that PPE compliance was significantly higher in gloves compared to other PPE items and PPE Shortages were common among nurses.
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
Roush, Jenna, "Nurses’ Perceptions of PPE Compliance among South Mississippi Medical- Surgical Nurses" (2023). Honors Theses. 944.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/944