Plastic apron wear during direct patient care
Josie Candlin District nurse, North Manchester Primary Care Trust
Sheila Stark Reader, Manchester Metropolitan University, Institute of Education, Manchester
Aim To identify factors that influence nurses’ practice in apron use during direct patient care.
Method A small-scale documentary analysis of a purposive sample of 15 journal articles relating to nurses’ apron use during patient care was undertaken. The analysis sought to address what factors affect nurses’ decisions in relation to apron use.
Findings Nurses’ decisions regarding apron use during patient care tend to be ritualistic rather than evidence-based. Their knowledge of infection control is limited.
Conclusion Although there is current literature available on infection control, as well as health and safety regulations, if local policy regarding apron use in nursing care is scant this can result in inconsistent and, perhaps, less desirable practices.
Nursing Standard.
20, 2, 41-46.
doi: 10.7748/ns2005.09.20.2.41.c3957
Correspondence
s.stark@mmu.ac.uk
Peer review
This article has been subject to double blind peer review
Want to read more?
Already have access? Log in
or
3-month trial offer for £5.25/month
Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
- Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
- RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
- NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
- Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
- A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe
Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days.
Buy now
Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more