Transmission and prevention of occupational infections in orthopaedic surgeons.
Microorganisms are transmitted in hospitals mainly by contact, droplet, and airborne routes. Orthopaedic surgeons have a substantial occupational risk of contracting a blood-borne infection because of frequent handling of sharp instruments and objects during operative procedures. Aerosolization means the formation of aerosols and droplets when blood or other body fluids are mechanically disturbed. Smaller particles (<5 microm) will remain suspended in air. Pathogens that can survive in these small airborne particles may cause infection if they are inhaled. Aerosol-generating procedures in patients with tuberculosis or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) may facilitate airborne transmission. The Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have established guidelines for isolation precautions in hospitals.
Wong
Kwok Chuen
KC
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China. skcwong@ort.cuhk.edu.hk
Leung
Kwok Sui
KS
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013502:General Surgery; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000379:methods / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009985:Orthopedics; D011482:Protective Devices; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*