The psychological consequences of occupational blood and body fluid exposure injuries

Wald, Jaye

doi:10.1080/09638280902874147

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…In any case, regardless of related risks, the psychological impact of an occupational exposure can be significant; the emotional distress for the exposed worker and relatives should be addressed in the post-exposure management, and further consequences prevented with appropriate counseling and support (57). …”

Section: The Brick Wall Of Safetymentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of implementing safe sharps practices in the laboratory setting in Europe

2014

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Healthcare workers are at risk of sharps injuries and subsequent infection from more than 40 bloodborne pathogens or species. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) together account for the vast majority of cases. The Directive 2010/32/EU “Prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector”, issued to protect workers from these risks, requires an integrated approach to prevention including awareness-raising, education, training, elimination of unnecessary needles, safe procedures for sharps use and disposal, banning of recapping, vaccination, use of personal protective equipment, provision of safety-engineered devices, and appropriate surveillance, monitoring, response and follow-up.As laboratories represent a high-risk setting both in the preanalytical and analytical phase, we reviewed accidents and prevention in this setting in the light of the new legislation.Phlebotomy is the procedure carrying the highest risk of exposure and infection, involved in 30–50% of HIV and HCV cases detected in nationwide systems following accidental blood exposures implemented since the 1990s in Italy and France. In laboratories, problems in the management of sharps containers, recapping, needle disassembly by hand and blood transfer from syringes into tubes were observed and accounted for two-thirds of injuries. These accidents could be reduced through education and monitoring of behaviours, and introduction of medical devices incorporating safety-engineered protection mechanisms with appropriate training. Laboratory staff should be immunized against HBV, and know policies and procedures for the post-exposure management and prophylaxis. The management commitment to safety is crucial to ensure the necessary support to these changes.

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Section: The Brick Wall Of Safetymentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of implementing safe sharps practices in the laboratory setting in Europe

2014

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“…Biohazard event is defined as the exposure to blood, tissues or any other potentially infectious fluid [ 1 ], one of the most obvious occupational risks in HCW daily practice and produces anxiety among them [ 3 ]. Exposure to blood borne pathogens caused by percutaneous injuries or mucous membranes contamination is a frequent event.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Pérez-Diaz

Calixto

Faccini-Martínez

et al. 2015

J Occup Med Toxicol

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

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“…Safer needle regulatory standards seek to reduce the burden of needlestick injuries and prevent the potential transmission of blood borne pathogens (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B and C) between patients and healthcare workers. Arguments supporting the need for regulation on needle safety have acknowledged the psychological consequences of the post-exposure experience and the significant cost implications associated with post-exposure testing and treatment [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in needlestick injury incidence following regulatory change in Ontario, Canada (2004–2012): an observational study

Chambers

Mustard

Etches

2015

BMC Health Serv Res

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BackgroundA number of jurisdictions have used regulation to promote the adoption of safety-engineered needles as a primary solution to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries among healthcare workers. Regulatory change has not been complemented by ongoing efforts to monitor needlestick injury trends which limits opportunities to evaluate the need for additional investment in this area. The objective of this study was to describe trends in the incidence of needlestick injuries in Ontario prior to and following the establishment of regulation to promote the adoption of safety-engineered needles.MethodsAn observational study of needlestick injuries obtained from two independent administrative data sources (emergency department records for the treatment of work-related disorders and workers' compensation claims) for a population of occupationally-active adults over the period 2004–2012.ResultsComparing the year prior to the regulation being established (2006) to three years after the regulation came into effect (2011), needlestick injury rates in the health and social services sector that were captured by workers’ compensation claims declined by 31% and by 43% in the work-related emergency department records. Rates of workers’ compensation claims associated with needlestick injuries declined by 31% in the hospital sector, by 67% in the long-term care sector and have increased by approximately 1% in nursing services over the period 2004–2012.ConclusionsTwo independent administrative data sources documented an overall reduction in needlestick injuries in the province of Ontario following a regulatory requirement to adopt safety-engineered needles; however, a substantial burden of occupational needlestick injuries persists in this setting.

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The psychological consequences of occupational blood and body fluid exposure injuries

Cited by 9 publications

References 53 publications

The importance of implementing safe sharps practices in the laboratory setting in Europe

The importance of implementing safe sharps practices in the laboratory setting in Europe

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

Trends in needlestick injury incidence following regulatory change in Ontario, Canada (2004–2012): an observational study

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