Investigation of Occupational Health and Safety Knowledge Levels Among Operating Room Staff

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-5240513/v1

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Investigation of Occupational Health and Safety Knowledge Levels Among Operating Room Staff

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5240513/v1

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Operating room staff work in the most intense and risky environments of healthcare services. This study aims to examine the occupational health and safety (OHS) knowledge levels of operating room staff. The study focuses on the physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial risks faced by operating room staff and addresses the health impacts of these risks.

The study was conducted with 413 participants working in the operating room unit of Gaziantep University Şahinbey Research and Practice Hospital. Data were collected using a Google form and analyzed with a 38-question survey. The survey questions aimed to measure the OHS perception levels of participants using a 5-point Likert scale.

Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 25.0 statistical program, and the Cronbach's Alpha value was found to be 0.851, indicating high reliability of the study. According to the study's findings, OHS perception levels of operating room staff do not differ by gender. However, there are statistically significant differences between professional experience duration and OHS perceptions. Specifically, participants with 6-10 years of experience were found to have lower OHS perceptions.

The study revealed that the OHS knowledge levels of operating room staff are insufficient, and more training and awareness activities in this area are needed. The findings are critical for reducing the risks faced by operating room staff and ensuring a safer working environment. Accordingly, it is recommended to organize OHS training and adopt proactive approaches.

Occupational Health and Safety

Operating Room Staff

Healthcare Workers

The operating room is one of the most intense and risky work environments within healthcare services. Staff working in this environment face various hazards, including physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial risks. These hazards can significantly impact their health, leading to chronic diseases or injuries over time.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge levels of operating room staff regarding occupational health and safety (OHS), aiming to identify gaps in awareness and education and propose solutions to improve safety in this high-risk environment.

This descriptive study was conducted with 413 participants from the operating room unit of Gaziantep University Şahinbey Research and Practice Hospital. Data were collected through an online survey using Google Forms. A total of 38 questions were included in the survey, focusing on the participants' OHS perceptions and knowledge levels.

The responses were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale, and data analysis was carried out using the SPSS 25.0 statistical software. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's Alpha, which resulted in a value of 0.851, indicating high internal consistency.

The analysis showed that there were no significant differences in OHS knowledge levels between male and female participants. However, significant differences were found based on professional experience. Participants with 6–10 years of experience reported lower levels of OHS awareness compared to those with less or more experience.

The findings suggest that OHS knowledge among operating room staff is generally insufficient, particularly among those with mid-level professional experience.

The results of this study highlight a concerning gap in the occupational health and safety knowledge of operating room staff, especially those with 6–10 years of experience. This may be due to a lack of continued training and education in OHS practices after the initial years of employment.

Previous research supports these findings, suggesting that ongoing education and frequent training are necessary to maintain high levels of safety awareness in high-risk environments like the operating room.

This study demonstrates that operating room staff have insufficient knowledge of occupational health and safety practices, particularly among those with mid-level experience. To mitigate the risks posed by the hazardous environment of the operating room, it is recommended that hospitals implement regular OHS training programs and adopt proactive safety measures.

By improving the knowledge levels of staff through targeted training initiatives, healthcare institutions can reduce workplace accidents and promote a safer, healthier working environment for operating room personnel.

Author Contributions:

Mutlu Erdi Bilecen: Study design, data collection, manuscript preparation.
Kadir Sercan Bayram: Data analysis, manuscript review.
All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Competing Interests:

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate:

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Gaziantep University. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Data Availability:

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Amin, B., et al. (2022). "Occupational Hazards Among Operating Room Staff." Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care. Retrieved from https://www.apicareonline.com.
Ghods, A. A., et al. (2009). "Factors Affecting Occupational Hazards Among Operating Room Personnel." Journal of Public Health. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com.
Khatib, I., El Ansari, W. (2015). "Occupational Safety Precautions Among Nurses." International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.15171/ijoem.2015.581.

No competing interests reported.

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Investigation of Occupational Health and Safety Knowledge Levels Among Operating Room Staff

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