Ewelina Kocur1,2, Bożena Śliwa-Rak1,2, Sebastian Grosicki3. 1. Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, School of Public Health in Bytom, Doctoral Studies 2. The City Hospital in Zabrze Sp. z o.o. Zamkowa 4; 41-803 Zabrze 3. Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, School of Public Health in Bytom, Department of Cancer Prevention
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Viral hepatitis B and C are the most common occupational diseases among health care workers. Infection occurs during performance of medical procedures which carries a risk of contact with biological material derived from a patient. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to analyse cases of occupational exposure to biological material as recorded by the employees of the City Hospital in Zabrze, to attempt to determine which medical procedures are of greatest risk of occupational exposure, and to identify the most important actions aimed at reduction of their number. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis included all cases of exposure to biological material derived from a patient, which were reported by employees of the City Hospital in Zabrze in 2006–2015. The analysis included the percentage of exposure for individual occupational groups and wards of the hospital, the type of the procedure at performance of which the exposure occurred, the type of tools affecting the skin continuity and proper conduct of the proceedings of the employee after exposure. FINDINGS: The occupational group most frequently affected by exposures were nurses/midwives. This occupational group accounted for 41.2% of all exposed people. The next highest percentage exposure of 5.9% concerned the occupational group of doctors, further paramedics with 3.8%, orderlies – 2.6%, nurses – 2.4%. The ward of internal diseases had most frequent occurrences of exposure, but the percentage of exposure was the highest for the operating room – 7.5%. Most often the injury occurred during sampling venous blood – 20.6%. People assisting at procedures performed with a use of sharp equipment made 13.4% of employees exposed to blood. Orderlies were the third occupational group in terms of most common cuts. The employees were injured by cutting themselves while disposing of waste as often as when performing/assisting with a surgery. In 24.7% of cases immediately after exposure to biological material the employees behaved contrary to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: List of exposures should not be limited only to cases of injuries caused by sharp instruments. Analysis of the circumstances and type of procedures during performance of which occur exposures allows for modification of procedures and reduction of the amount of exposures. Trainings in prevention of exposure should include all occupational groups, which are in contact with patients and medical waste.
INTRODUCTION:Viral hepatitis B and C are the most common occupational diseases among health care workers. Infection occurs during performance of medical procedures which carries a risk of contact with biological material derived from a patient. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to analyse cases of occupational exposure to biological material as recorded by the employees of the City Hospital in Zabrze, to attempt to determine which medical procedures are of greatest risk of occupational exposure, and to identify the most important actions aimed at reduction of their number. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis included all cases of exposure to biological material derived from a patient, which were reported by employees of the City Hospital in Zabrze in 2006–2015. The analysis included the percentage of exposure for individual occupational groups and wards of the hospital, the type of the procedure at performance of which the exposure occurred, the type of tools affecting the skin continuity and proper conduct of the proceedings of the employee after exposure. FINDINGS: The occupational group most frequently affected by exposures were nurses/midwives. This occupational group accounted for 41.2% of all exposed people. The next highest percentage exposure of 5.9% concerned the occupational group of doctors, further paramedics with 3.8%, orderlies – 2.6%, nurses – 2.4%. The ward of internal diseases had most frequent occurrences of exposure, but the percentage of exposure was the highest for the operating room – 7.5%. Most often the injury occurred during sampling venous blood – 20.6%. People assisting at procedures performed with a use of sharp equipment made 13.4% of employees exposed to blood. Orderlies were the third occupational group in terms of most common cuts. The employees were injured by cutting themselves while disposing of waste as often as when performing/assisting with a surgery. In 24.7% of cases immediately after exposure to biological material the employees behaved contrary to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: List of exposures should not be limited only to cases of injuries caused by sharp instruments. Analysis of the circumstances and type of procedures during performance of which occur exposures allows for modification of procedures and reduction of the amount of exposures. Trainings in prevention of exposure should include all occupational groups, which are in contact with patients and medical waste.
Authors: Camila Lucas de Souza; Thaís de Arvelos Salgado; Tatiana Luciano Sardeiro; Hélio Galdino Junior; Alexander Itria; Anaclara Ferreira Veiga Tipple Journal: Rev Lat Am Enfermagem Date: 2020-06-19