title: Precautionary practices of healthcare workers who disinfect medical and dental devices using high-level disinfectants.
abstract: BACKGROUND High-level disinfectants (HLDs) are used throughout the healthcare industry to chemically disinfect reusable, semicritical medical and dental devices to control and prevent healthcare-associated infections among patient populations. Workers who use HLDs are at risk of exposure to these chemicals, some of which are respiratory and skin irritants and sensitizers. OBJECTIVE To evaluate exposure controls used and to better understand impediments to healthcare workers using personal protective equipment while handling HLDs. DESIGN Web-based survey. PARTICIPANTS A targeted sample of members of professional practice organizations representing nurses, technologists/technicians, dental professionals, respiratory therapists, and others who reported handling HLDs in the previous 7 calendar days. Participating organizations invited either all or a random sample of members via email, which included a hyperlink to the survey. METHODS Descriptive analyses were conducted including simple frequencies and prevalences. RESULTS A total of 4,657 respondents completed the survey. The HLDs used most often were glutaraldehyde (59%), peracetic acid (16%), and ortho-phthalaldehyde (15%). Examples of work practices or events that could increase exposure risk included failure to wear water-resistant gowns (44%); absence of standard procedures for minimizing exposure (19%); lack of safe handling training (17%); failure to wear protective gloves (9%); and a spill/leak of HLD during handling (5%). Among all respondents, 12% reported skin contact with HLDs, and 33% of these respondents reported that they did not always wear gloves. CONCLUSION Findings indicated that precautionary practices were not always used, underscoring the importance of improved employer and worker training and education regarding HLD hazards.
authors: Division of Surveillance,Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies,National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Cincinnati,OH 45226.
authors: Scott A
authors: SA
authors: Henn
authors: Division of Surveillance,Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies,National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Cincinnati,OH 45226.
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Boiano
authors: Division of Surveillance,Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies,National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Cincinnati,OH 45226.
authors: Andrea L
authors: AL
authors: Steege
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003625:Data Collection; D003749:Dental Facilities; D004202:Disinfectants; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005976:Glutaral; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010463:Peracetic Acid; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014691:Ventilation; D009764:o-Phthalaldehyde
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D004202:Disinfectants; C493279:KLHL12 protein, human; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D009764:o-Phthalaldehyde; D010463:Peracetic Acid; D005976:Glutaral
references: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1991 May;12(5):289-96
references: 1865099
references: Gastrointest Endosc. 1999 Sep;50(3):362-8
references: 10462657
references: Am J Ind Med. 2003 Feb;43(2):196-203
references: 12541275
references: J Hosp Infect. 2005 Jan;59(1):4-11
references: 15571847
references: Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2006 Sep;48(5):169-75
references: 17062996
references: J Occup Med. 1989 Oct;31(10):852-3
references: 2514257
references: Ind Health. 2007 Apr;45(2):289-95
references: 17485873
references: Endoscopy. 2001 Oct;33(10):864-8
references: 11571683
references: Chest. 2004 Oct;126(4):1048-53
references: 15486362
references: Ann Occup Hyg. 1997 Dec;41(6):691-8
references: 9375527
references: Allergy. 1999 Oct;54(10):1105-9
references: 10536890
references: Contact Dermatitis. 1986 May;14(5):319-20
references: 2943558
references: J Occup Health. 2007 Mar;49(2):155-8
references: 17429174
references: Contact Dermatitis. 1988 Apr;18(4):193-6
references: 2967745
references: AORN J. 1997 Jun;65(6):1114-5
references: 9187457
references: Am J Ind Med. 2014 Jun;57(6):640-52
references: 24549581
references: J Occup Health. 2006 Nov;48(6):413-6
references: 17179633
references: Thorax. 1995 Feb;50(2):156-9
references: 7701454
references: J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2006 Mar;15(1):89-93
references: 16680240
references: Contact Dermatitis. 1983 Jan;9(1):81-2
references: 6220863