Occupational blood exposure accidents in the Netherlands.
BACKGROUND
To make proper evaluation of prevention policies possible, data on the incidence and associated medical costs of occupational blood exposure accidents in the Netherlands are needed.


METHODS
Descriptive analysis of blood exposure accidents and risk estimates for occupational groups. Costs of handling accidents were calculated.


RESULTS
Each year, an estimated 13,000-15,000 blood exposure accidents are reported in the Netherlands, 95% in occupational settings. Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination is offered free of charge only to people in risk groups, the seroprevalence of HBV, hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is low and few infections are related to blood exposure accidents. High-risk accidents occur mainly in hospitals. In nursing homes and home care settings, the majority of the accidents are low-risk. Limited data are available about occurrence of accidents in other occupational groups. Associated medical costs from occupational blood exposure accidents are mainly determined by the initial risk management.


CONCLUSIONS
Accidents must be managed effectively to prevent infection and reduce anxiety in injured employees. While strategies to reduce HCV and HIV infection should be primarily aimed at reducing the occurrence of high-risk accidents, vaccination can prevent HBV infection and cut the costs of handling low-risk accidents. The implementation of vaccination strategies, safe working policies and the proper use of safe equipment should be monitored better.
van Wijk
Paul Th L
PT
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. p.v.wijk@jbz.nl
Schneeberger
Peter M
PM
Heimeriks
Karin
K
Boland
Greet J
GJ
Karagiannis
Ioannis
I
Geraedts
Jacques
J
Ruijs
Wilhelmina L M
WL
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000191:economics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics; D000078329:Workforce