Risk of occupational infections due to occupational exposures in healthcare workers

Abstract number: 1733_1190

Nemli S.A., Ozgunes I., Alpat S.N., Kartal E.D., Erben N., Usluer G.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to the risk of occupational infections due to accidental exposures such as needlestick injuries (NSIs), sharps injuries (SIs) and contaminated blood or body fluids (CBBFs).

The objectives of this study were to determine the rates of bloodborne exposures and related risk factors experienced by HCWs at a University Hospital during 2005–2006.

One hundred and thirty HCWs filled out a questionnaire devised to determine the numbers of occupational exposures they had experienced and reported, condition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunisation, behaviours on performing procedures that can cause occupational exposures. 26.2% of them were male, 73.8% were female. 50% of participants were physicians and rests of them were nurses. 60% of participants had been working in internal medicine departments, 40% in surgical departments. 95.4% of participants determined at least one or more occupational exposure during their whole career. 79.2% of participants determined at least one or more occupational exposure during the preceding 1 year. 31.5% of them experienced SIs, 71.5% NSIs, 33.8% mucosal exposure of CBBFs. 90.4% of participants working in surgical departments experienced any occupational exposure during the preceding year and this was statistically significantly more compared to internal departments. Therefore 17.5% of participants exposed to accidental exposure during last one year reported these exposures, 12.3% of NSIs, 4.6% of CBBFs.

10% of participants had a history of previous HBV infection. 83.8% of participants had a history of vaccination and 70.7% were vaccinated three doses of HBV vaccine. 73.8% of participants were tested for HBV and 92.7% of them had protective anti HBV level 10 IU/mL or above. 59.6% of vaccinated participants had a history of vaccination after they started working.

Despite 83.1% of HCWs agreeing that using gloves decreases the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens, only 16.2% of HCWs reported they always wore gloves prior to any IV applications. 79.2% of HCWs reported that they feel themselves at risk about transmission of bloodborne pathogens. The ratio was significantly higher for nurses (58/65; 89.2%) compared to physicians (45/65; 69.2%).

These findings show that HCWs are at high risk for occupational injuries. Providing education about universal precautions and bloodborne pathogen exposure is crucial for the safety of HCWs. But it is difficult to change behaviours.