Objective: This research was carried out as a descriptive study to determine the Universal Precautions taken by Nurses working in Surgical Medicine for Diseases Transmitted through Blood and Body Fluids.

Material and Method: No sample selection method was used in the study, but all population in the surgical units (N:101) was included in the study. The research was carried out by filling the question forms, which were prepared by the researchers in accordance with the literature, by nurses working in the Department of Surgical Medicine of Kırklareli Public Hospital Association Kırklareli State Hospital and Lüleburgaz State Hospital between June 2017 and August 2017.

Results: The age average of the nurses participating in the research was 30.73 ± 8.19, 82.4% of them were women, and 52% had a bachelor’s degree. 17.6% of the nurses worked in the operation room and their average duty period was 9.69±9.28. It was found that 90.2% of the nurses had training to protect themselves from diseases transmitted through blood and body fluids, and 85.9% of the trainees had this training from in-service trainings. It was detected that 97.1% of the nurses did not have a blood-borne disease, 18.8% had a sharp object injury within the last 6 months and 31.6% of these injuries were caused during catheterization and attachment of the injector cap. It was determined that 35.3% of the nurses had direct contact with the patient's blood or body fluid within the last 6 months; but at this time that there was no open wound. 22.5% of the nurses thought that they did not take adequate precautions to protect themselves from diseases transmitted through blood and body fluids, and 39.1% of the nurses who thought that they did not take precautions stated that this was because it prevented operation from easily performing.

Conclusion: It has been concluded that the nurses are continuously in contact with blood and body fluids due to the invasive procedures; therefore, preventive measures should be taken, which do not avoid the procedure, and there should be promotive sanctions therefore.

Universal precautions taken by nurses working in surgical medicine for diseases transmitted through blood and body fluids