title: Reducing percutaneous injuries in the OR by educational methods.
abstract: Exposure to bloodborne pathogens (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C) through percutaneous injuries is an occupational risk for health care workers, especially those in the OR. The incidence of disease continues to rise, although occupational exposures often go unreported. Percutaneous injury prevention methods have included use of safety devices, practice changes, and educational programs. An educational intervention to increase awareness of risk, provide suggestions for injury reduction, and encourage reporting of exposures was performed at a university teaching hospital. Preliminary qualitative results show increased exposure reporting, increased use of personal protective equipment, and increased awareness of disease exposure risk among OR personnel.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Holodnick
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barkauskas
mesh_terms: D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D009790:Occupations; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*