Occupational exposure risk perception and its multilevel influencing factors among nurses in central sterile supply departments: a cross-sectional study based on the social ecological model.

In a cross-sectional study published in 2026 on Front Public Health, researchers explored occupational exposure risk perception among nurses working in central sterile supply departments (CSSD) using the Social Ecological Model as a framework. The study was conducted across multiple hospitals in an unspecified location.

The researchers aimed to identify the multilevel factors influencing nurses' perceived risks of occupational exposure to contaminated surgical instruments and devices. They used self-administered questionnaires to collect data from 387 participants regarding their demographics, job roles, training, departmental policies, organizational support, and individual perceptions of risk.

The findings suggested that younger nurses, those with less experience in CSSD, and those who had not received formal training on occupational exposure risks perceived a higher risk of contamination compared to their older, more experienced counterparts. Additionally, nurses working in departments with stricter policies and better organizational support reported lower perceived risks.

The study also highlighted the importance of adhering to established standards, such as guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and recommendations from organizations like AAMI and ISO. It was noted that departments with a strong commitment to implementing these standards had lower rates of occupational exposure risk perception among their staff.

The study results underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve the training, policies, and organizational support provided to nurses working in central sterile supply departments, with a particular focus on addressing the unique risks faced by younger, less experienced nurses.