title: Healthcare worker safety: a vital component of surgical capacity development in low-resource settings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A disparate number of occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens occur in low-income countries where disease prevalence is high and healthcare provider-per-population ratios are low.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an effort to highlight the important role of healthcare  worker safety in surgical capacity building in Rwanda, we measured self-reported presence of safety materials and compliance with personal protective equipment in the operating theatre as part of a nationwide survey to characterize emergency and essential surgical capacity in all government  hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We surveyed 44 hospitals. While staff report general availability of safe disposal of sharps and hazardous waste, presence of and compliance with eye protection was lacking. Staff were cognizant of prevention measures such as double-gloving and 'safe receptacles',  as well as hospital policies for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV following needlesticks, but there was little awareness of hepatitis exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare worker safety should be a key component of hospital-level surgical capacity.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors: Robin T
authors: RT
authors: Petroze
authors: Elayne K
authors: EK
authors: Phillips
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Nzayisenga
authors: Georges
authors: G
authors: Ntakiyiruta
authors: J Forrest
authors: JF
authors: Calland
mesh_terms: D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057766:Policy; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012432:Rwanda; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal