Hands-free technique: preventing occupational exposure during surgery.
Occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens has led to HBV, HCV and HIV infections among surgeons, nurses and other operating room (OR) personnel and, to a lesser degree, patients (Ross et al 2000, The incident investigation teams and others 1997). Of seven OR studies in which an observer or circulating nurse recorded exposures, there was a percuataneous injury in 1.7-15% of all surgeries, and a mucocutaneous contamination in 6.2-50% of all surgeries. (Gerberding et al 1990, Panlilio et al 1991, Popejoy & Fry 1991, Quebbeman et al 1991, Tokars et al 1992, Lynch & White 1993, Stringer, Infante-Rivard & Hanley 2002). Surgeons and residents usually sustained the greatest number of percutaneous and other exposures during surgery.
Stringer
Bernadette
B
McMaster University, Ontario.
Haines
Ted
T
D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D013525:Surgical Instruments