태선화1, 황은희2

1원광대학교 의과대학 산본병원 감염관리실, 2원광대학교 의과대학 간호학과

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate nurses’ clinical competence and its relationship with
perception of and compliance with standard precautions.
Methods: From January 12 to January 20, 2011, a total of 134 nurses working at a university hospital in
Gyeonggi province completed a structured questionnaire on clinical competence and perception of and compliance
with standard precautions. The data were analyzed with independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance,
and Pearson’s correlation analysis.
Results: The mean score for clinical competence was 3.53, and showed significant differences according to
age, gender, education level, marital status, monthly income, and years of experience. The mean scores for
perception of and compliance with standard precautions were 4.67 and 4.00 respectively. Perception of standard
precautions showed a significant difference according to years of experience. There were significant positive
correlations among clinical competence and perception (r=0.234, P=0.007), clinical competence and compliance
(r=0.363, P<0.001), and perception and compliance (r=0.406, P<0.001).
Conclusions: To improve nurses' compliance with standard precautions educational and administrative policies
to improve clinical competence should be considered.

Korean J Health Promot 2012;12(1):40-46
Keywords: Clinical competence, Compliance, Infection control, Precaution