Assessment of Management Policies and Practices for Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens in Dialysis Facilities

The prevention of hepatitis C virus transmission to hemodialysis patients and staff members

In this review article, we cover 4 topics very relevant to those involved in the care of hemodialysis (HD) patients and in the management of a HD unit. We start with an overview of the progress made over the last 25 years to reduce hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in HD. Next, we discuss the potential strategies to prevent the residual ongoing transmission of HCV to HD patients. Third, we discuss the actions to be taken if a seroconversion for HCV is nevertheless detected in a HD patient. Finally, we briefly discuss how best to protect HD staff members from occupationally acquired HCV infection.

Assessing of policies and practices for occupational exposure to blood-borne viral infections in Tanta University Hospitals, Egypt

One of the best ways to investigate and improve the effectiveness of polices for prevention and control of infections is through systematic and rigorous evaluation of the structural, functional, and practical elements of these polices. To assess the policies for managing occupational exposure to blood-borne viral infections in Tanta University Hospitals. A cross-sectional survey was carried out. A checklist was used to collect data related to the hospital policy regarding occupational exposure to blood-borne viral infections which was filled by direct personal interviews with the members of infection control (IC) committee of Tanta University Hospitals where the percentage of those in compliance with specific occupational management policies were reported. All studied participants reported lack of access to written infection control manual and only 14.3 % reported that infection control policies and procedures are updated yearly. Only 32.5 % of studied healthcare workers (HCWs) were not aware by the availability of a needle injury clinic. Only 28.6 % of the members of IC committee reported that pre-placement screening of HCWs for baseline blood tests for HBV, HCV, or HIV was conducted; however, periodic screening for these infections was not conducted as reported by all of the members. Among the members of IC committee, 57.1 % recorded availability of post-exposure evaluation. Only 42.8 % of the members of IC committee reported ensuring HCWs' confidentiality when reporting their exposure incidents. Both exposure management policies and practices were not aligning with the national guidelines.

Influence of multiple factors on the incidence of occupational blood and body fluid exposures in health care workers in Guizhou, China: A structural equation modeling approach

BACKGROUND

We investigated the influence of multiple factors on the incidence of occupational blood and body fluid exposures (BBFEs) in health care workers (HCWs) in Guizhou, China, using structural equation modeling (SEM).

METHODS

SEM tested in general hospitals was evaluated using survey data from a sample of 1,774 HCWs from 25 hospitals in Guizhou, China, between January and April 2014.

RESULTS

The incidence of occupational BBFEs in HCWs was affected by HCWs' knowledge of safe work practices, HCWs' belief in their ability to use safe work practices, HCWs' use of safe work practices, the workplace safety environment, sufficiency of the controls implemented at health care facilities, and workloads. Knowledge of safe work practices had the most influence on the incidence of occupational BBFE in doctors and laboratory technicians. Ability to use safe work practices had the most influence on the incidence of occupational BBFEs in nurses.

CONCLUSION

The workplace safety environment, sufficiency of controls implemented at health care facilities, HCWs' knowledge of safe work practices, HCWs' belief in their ability to use safe work practices, HCWs' use of safe work practices, and workload influence the incidence of occupational BBFEs in HCWs.