Study of the risk assessment of nursing occupational exposure to major public health emergencies based on the Likelihood Exposure Consequence method.

Abstract

Objectives: To develop an occupational exposure risk assessment scale for nursing staff during major public health emergencies based on the Likelihood Exposure Consequence (LEC) method. The purpose was to provide managers with a reliable tool for assessing occupational exposure risk faced by nursing staff and to serve as a reference for the formulation of occupational protection standards.

Methods: The item pool of nursing occupational exposure risk factors was screened using the LEC and accident causation theory. This was achieved through a comprehensive literature review, semistructured interviews, and group discussions. The nursing occupational exposure risk assessment scale was developed in conjunction with the Delphi method. The LEC method was used to assess the risk of occupational exposure among nursing staff in hospital clinical fever settings and to determine the level of occupational exposure risk.

Results: Two rounds of expert inquiry were conducted to obtain the results. The recovery rates of the questionnaires deemed effective were 100%. The coefficients pertaining to expert authority were 0.807 and 0.835, and the coefficients associated with expert opinion coordination were 0.785 and 0.808, respectively. In the assessment of nursing occupational exposure risk in fever clinics, 9 risk factors were identified, with a Danger (D) value of ≥70 and risk level of ≥3. These risk factors encompassed personnel, technical, environmental, and management aspects. Considering the prevailing unsafe factors, it is recommended to enhance personnel management training, bolster protection skills, upgrade environmental facilities, improve the supervision system, and implement other appropriate rectification measures.

Conclusions: The scale is both scientifically rigorous and have the ability to present evidence in order to enhance the occupational environment for nursing personnel and guarantee their occupational safety. Additionally, it can function as a policy reference for enhancing the response mechanism of the medical and health systems.