Non-Compliance with Standard Precautions: System Theory Approach

The standard precautions are measures to prevent the transmission of infection in health care setting. Non compliance with the guidelines of standard precautions has increased the rates of hospital associated infections. This paper aims at discussing the issue of non compliance with standard precautions faced by health care organization and its significance in terms of morbidity and mortality. The issue of non compliance is analyzed by using system theory approach. The system consist of five components; input, throughput, output, feedback, and environment. The paper also highlights the factors contributing to non compliance with standard precautions. These factors are categorized as knowledge, practice and attitude towards standard precautions. The recommendations to improve compliance with standard precautions at individual and organizational level have also been discussed.