태선화1, 황은희2

1원광대학교 의과대학 산본병원 감염관리실, 2원광대학교 의과대학 간호학과


Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate nurses’ clinical competence and its relationship with perception of and compliance with standard precautions.
Methods: From January 12 to January 20, 2011, a total of 134 nurses working at a university hospital in Gyeonggi province completed a structured questionnaire on clinical competence and perception of and compliance with standard precautions. The data were analyzed with independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation analysis.
Results: The mean score for clinical competence was 3.53, and showed significant differences according to age, gender, education level, marital status, monthly income, and years of experience. The mean scores for perception of and compliance with standard precautions were 4.67 and 4.00 respectively. Perception of standard precautions showed a significant difference according to years of experience. There were significant positive correlations among clinical competence and perception (r=0.234, P=0.007), clinical competence and compliance (r=0.363, P<0.001), and perception and compliance (r=0.406, P<0.001).
Conclusions: To improve nurses' compliance with standard precautions educational and administrative policies to improve clinical competence should be considered.

Korean J Health Promot 2012;12(1):40-46

Keywords: Clinical competence, Compliance, Infection control, Precaution