"Compliance with Universal Precautions Among Nurses, Laboratory Technicians, and Operating Theatre Technicians in Specialized Hospitals in Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review"

Abstract

Hospital settings place healthcare workers (HCWs) at substantial risk of occupational injuries and exposure to infectious agents. HCWs who frequently handle sharps, deliver health care to patients with highly contagious infectious diseases, or perform invasive procedures are exposed to workplace hazards on a routine basis. Percutaneous injury is the most common mechanism of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in health care establishments, affecting millions of HCWs annually (Alhumaid et al., 2021). The exposure can lead to the transmission of bloodborne pathogens (BBP) including Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The high risk extends to both occupational and nonoccupational settings due to variations in compliance with protective measures among HCWs.