ArticleInfection prevention in practice2026
Occupational biohazard exposure during patient waste management: PPE use, reporting practices, and systemic barriers in nursing care.
Article in Infection prevention in practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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2 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Nurses face occupational exposure risks during patient waste management, yet this aspect of nursing practice remains understudied. This study examined personal protective equipment (PPE) use during patient waste management and explored the behavioural, organizational, and environmental factors influencing adherence to infection prevention practices. Methods: A mixed-methods national survey of nurses ( Results: Glove use was nearly universal; however, face masks, gowns, eye protection, face shields, and respirators were used less consistently during waste-management activities. Quantitative and qualitative findings identified barriers, including limited PPE accessibility, time constraints, discomfort, and reliance on perceived rather than actual risk. Nurses frequently described splash exposures as routine, and many reported greater willingness to report needlestick injuries than splash or spill exposures. Infrastructure limitations, including poorly located utility rooms and limited mitigation devices, further contributed to inconsistent protective practices. Conclusions: Patient waste management represents an underrecognized source of occupational biohazard exposure in nursing care. PPE adherence is influenced by interacting behavioural, cultural, organizational, and environmental factors. Findings highlight the importance of addressing exposure desensitization, improving reporting practices, strengthening access to PPE and mitigation technologies, and fostering a safety culture that supports consistent adherence to infection prevention protocols.
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