[Risk of transmission of viral disease by needle punctures and cuts in hospital health care workers].
The accidental exposure of the health care workers (HCW) to blood and blood products constitutes a danger for transmission of blood-borne pathogens and the development of severe diseases. Most attention is focused on exposure to the viruses of hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency. The objectives of this prospective study were to determine the rate of exposure of our HCW to blood and blood products; to define the high risk groups; and to establish recommendations to prevent transmission or reduce the risk of exposure to these viruses. During the year 1996, 103 injuries from needle-puncture or other sharp objects were reported to our infectious diseases control unit. Most of those injured were women. 58.4% of the events occurred in the vicinity of the patient. The source of exposure was known in 60% of the cases. 73.8% of those injured had already been immunized against hepatitis B. The departments in which most exposures occurred were the operating theater (12.5%), medical departments A (10.6%) and B (9.6%), and the emergency department (7.7%). Nurses were at highest risk, constituting 47% of those injured. Our recommendations are that a continuous teaching program be established for the high risk groups; that HCW be urged to report every event of exposure; and to encourage HCW to undergo active immunization against hepatitis B.
Emergency Dept., Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon.
Y
Y
Mishal
C
C
Yosefy
E
E
Hay
D
D
Catz
E
E
Ambon
R
R
Schneider
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*