Bloodborne pathogens exposure from occupational fingernail scratches.
Following occupational fingernail scratches (OFSs) in a developmental center, the source resident and the injured employee were tested for bloodborne pathogens (BPs). The pros and cons of this practice were scrutinized since fingernails usually contain no blood. Available records revealed no OFS-related BP transmission in 14 years. PubMed displayed no article linking OFS with BP. The facility's practice was discontinued as it was deemed unnecessary, wasteful, an impediment to the event's expeditious closure, an ineffective workers' compensation safeguard, and a potential source of venipuncture-related complications and false-positive laboratory results. Even long-standing practices require periodic scientific review.
Lohiya
Ghan-Shyam
GS
Fair-view Developmental Center, 2501 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA. glohiya@fdc.dds.ca.gov
Tan-Figueroa
Lilia
L
Lohiya
Sonia
S
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009262:Nails; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*