title: Blood contamination of anaesthetic and related staff.
abstract: The incidence of skin contamination of anaesthetic and related staff by patient's blood and saliva was studied during 270 anaesthetics in Cardiff hospitals over seven continuous days in October 1989. A survey was also made of current Hepatitis B immunisation status and glove-wearing habits of 75 anaesthetists. Blood from 35 (14%) patients caused skin contamination of 65 staff during 46 incidents. Twenty-eight (61%) of the contamination incidents occurred during vessel cannulation. Five (8%) of the 65 staff contaminated by blood already had cuts on their hands. There were nine incidents (4%) of skin contamination by saliva. Fifty-three (71%) anaesthetists were immunised against Hepatitis B. Only seven (9%) anaesthetists wear gloves for oral or nasal intubation, six (8%) for insertion of peripheral venous cannulae, 47 (63%) for insertion of arterial lines and 67 (89%) for insertion of central lines. All anaesthetic and associated staff should wear gloves on a routine basis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001769:Blood; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva; D012867:Skin