The effects of health belief model-based intervention on nurses' sterilizing practices when moistening surgical instruments.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effects of the Health Belief Model (HBM)-based intervention on nurses' behaviors in terms of keeping surgical instruments moist.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Pre- and post-training surveys about instrument moistening were conducted with the same 356 nurses from a hospital in China. Both of the surveys contained questionnaire concerning general knowledge relating to instrument moistening, perception scale-based questions concerning the same issue, and an inspection form concerning the implementation of moistening procedures. Three months' training was provided for the nurses.

RESULTS

After training, the nurses' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors for instrument moistening were improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The HBM-based intervention can bring about a significant improvement in nurses' compliance with surgical instrument moistening requirements, and corresponding improvements in instrument cleanliness and patient safety.