Abstract
Background: Health care workers (HCW) are at high risk of accidental contact with biological fluids. In spite of extensive recommendations concerning HCW, accidents continue to be frequent and seem to be related to specific factors. Objectives: To evaluate the factors influencing risk of blood-borne infections in a particular category of HCW- obstetricians, and obtain information useful for prevention guidelines. Methods: Data were obtained from the exposure registers of nursing and of the Emergency Ward staff, where HCW first report after accidental contact with biological fluids. Results: Accidents with risk of blood-borne diseases were more frequent in obstetricians with lower job seniority. They usually occurred between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., in the patient's room. The hands and face (particularly the eyes) were the body parts more often involved. In almost half of the accidents, the worker was not wearing any personal protective device. Although some contacts were with infected blood, no seroconversion occurred. Conclusions: Obstetricians are at high risk of contact with biological fluids. Prevention requires a global strategy including the availability of protective and safety devices, as well as worker education, especially concerning the use of such devices, the application of the universal rules of prevention and the improvement of risk awareness. An adequate post-exposure management of accidents in also required.
| Original language | Italian |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 64-72 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Medicina del Lavoro |
| Volume | 98 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2007 |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
Infortuni a rischio di malattie a trasmissione ematica nel personale ostetrico : Analisi di una casistica ospedaliera. / Sacchi, Marta; Daglio, Marinella; Feletti, Tiziana; Lanave, Marina; Candura, S. M.; Strosselli, M.
In: Medicina del Lavoro, Vol. 98, No. 1, 01.2007, p. 64-72.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Infortuni a rischio di malattie a trasmissione ematica nel personale ostetrico
T2 - Analisi di una casistica ospedaliera
AU - Sacchi, Marta
AU - Daglio, Marinella
AU - Feletti, Tiziana
AU - Lanave, Marina
AU - Candura, S. M.
AU - Strosselli, M.
PY - 2007/1
Y1 - 2007/1
N2 - Background: Health care workers (HCW) are at high risk of accidental contact with biological fluids. In spite of extensive recommendations concerning HCW, accidents continue to be frequent and seem to be related to specific factors. Objectives: To evaluate the factors influencing risk of blood-borne infections in a particular category of HCW- obstetricians, and obtain information useful for prevention guidelines. Methods: Data were obtained from the exposure registers of nursing and of the Emergency Ward staff, where HCW first report after accidental contact with biological fluids. Results: Accidents with risk of blood-borne diseases were more frequent in obstetricians with lower job seniority. They usually occurred between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., in the patient's room. The hands and face (particularly the eyes) were the body parts more often involved. In almost half of the accidents, the worker was not wearing any personal protective device. Although some contacts were with infected blood, no seroconversion occurred. Conclusions: Obstetricians are at high risk of contact with biological fluids. Prevention requires a global strategy including the availability of protective and safety devices, as well as worker education, especially concerning the use of such devices, the application of the universal rules of prevention and the improvement of risk awareness. An adequate post-exposure management of accidents in also required.
AB - Background: Health care workers (HCW) are at high risk of accidental contact with biological fluids. In spite of extensive recommendations concerning HCW, accidents continue to be frequent and seem to be related to specific factors. Objectives: To evaluate the factors influencing risk of blood-borne infections in a particular category of HCW- obstetricians, and obtain information useful for prevention guidelines. Methods: Data were obtained from the exposure registers of nursing and of the Emergency Ward staff, where HCW first report after accidental contact with biological fluids. Results: Accidents with risk of blood-borne diseases were more frequent in obstetricians with lower job seniority. They usually occurred between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., in the patient's room. The hands and face (particularly the eyes) were the body parts more often involved. In almost half of the accidents, the worker was not wearing any personal protective device. Although some contacts were with infected blood, no seroconversion occurred. Conclusions: Obstetricians are at high risk of contact with biological fluids. Prevention requires a global strategy including the availability of protective and safety devices, as well as worker education, especially concerning the use of such devices, the application of the universal rules of prevention and the improvement of risk awareness. An adequate post-exposure management of accidents in also required.
KW - Biological risk
KW - Blood-borne disease
KW - Occupational injury
KW - Post-exposition management
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33847081168&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33847081168&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Articolo
C2 - 17240647
AN - SCOPUS:33847081168
VL - 98
SP - 64
EP - 72
JO - Medicina del Lavoro
JF - Medicina del Lavoro
SN - 0025-7818
IS - 1
ER -