Accidentes biológicos percutáneos en el personal sanitario: análisis de factores de riesgo no prevenibles mediante precauciones estándares

[Incidence of accidental exposure to blood and body fluids among healthcare professionals in a community hospital]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the annual incidence of healthcare professionals' accidental exposure to blood and body fluids in a community hospital and describe their characteristics, associated situations and follow-up.

METHOD

A longitudinal, retrospective study of biological accidents voluntarily reported on a yearly basis by exposed healthcare professionals at Fundació Hospital de l'Esperit Sant (in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain), between 2005 and 2014. A descriptive analysis of the variables related to the exposed professional, the exposure itself, its production mechanism and the source patient was conducted. The rate of exposure was calculated per 100 occupied beds and by job category.

RESULTS

318 exposures were reported; 89.62% were percutaneous and the remainder were non-intact skin or mucous contamination. The mean percutaneous exposure incidence rate from 2005 to 2014 was 17.6 per 100 occupied beds/year (limits 10.3 in 2013 and 24.5 in 2005). Doctors were exposed to the greatest risk (5.29 exposures per 100 doctors). Over 50% occurred in a surgical setting. 44.2% of exposed healthcare professionals had been working at the centre for 1 year or less on average. Puncture was the most common percutaneous lesion. No cases of occupational viral transmission were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of percutaneous exposure reported in this hospital fluctuated significantly throughout the analysis period. Risk of exposure is related to job category, work experience, the setting and the activity performed.

Occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study of a registry in Colombia

BACKGROUND

Occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens caused by percutaneous injuries or mucosal contamination is frequent among Healthcare Workers (HCW).

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of HCW with an occupational exposure to blood reported to professional risk insurance agencies between 2009 and 2014 was performed. Comparisons between groups according to exposure level (mild, moderate, and severe) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Two thousand, four hundred three reports were classified according exposure as mild 2.7 %, moderate 74.8 %, severe 21.9 %. Factors related: health sciences student with mild exposure events [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 11.91, 95 % CI 5.13-27.61, p < 0.00001], and physician with moderate exposure events (AOR 1.90, 95 % CI 1.17-3.07, p = 0.009). Factors inversely related: physician with severe exposure events (AOR 0.54, 95 % CI 0.32-0.91, p = 0.02) and health sciences student with moderate exposure events (AOR 0.08, 95 % CI 0.04-0.15, p < 0.00001). It was found an important relationship between severe events with infectious diseases specialist assessment, and follow-up adherence. Additionally, a case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus seroconversion was presented (0.0004 %), no other seroconversions were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational exposure events must be managed according to established protocols, but adherence failure was evident with the exception of severe exposure cases. Thus, interventions to enhance occupational safety are required. Occupation must be considered as a risk factor during initial assessment of events.