Cut and puncture accidents involving health care workers exposed to biological materials



Document title: Cut and puncture accidents involving health care workers exposed to biological materials
Journal: The brazilian journal of infectious diseases
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000290636
ISSN: 1413-8670
Authors: 1


Institutions: 1Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Comite de Epidemiologia Hospitalaria, Sao Paulo. Brasil
Year:
Season: Oct
Volumen: 5
Number: 5
Pages: 235-242
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Experimental
English abstract The first report of occupational acquisition of HIV appeared in 1984, and, by June, 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had reported 52 documented cases of sero-conversion following occupational exposure to HIV-1 by health care workers of those cases. 47 (90.3%) were exposed to blood. The most frequent type of accident reported was percutaneous needlestick injury. Prospective studies have estimated that the risk of HIV transmission following percutaneous exposure to infected blood is 0.3% (Confidence Interval 95% = 0.2% to 0.5%). Following a mucous membrane exposure, the risk is 0.09% (CI 95% = 0.006% to 0.5%). The risk of hepatitis B acquisition ranges from 6% to 30%, and hepatitis C acquisition, 3% to 10%. Since 1992, the São Paulo Hospital's Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Service (SPCIH) has notified and treated all workers exposed to accidents involving biological materials. In the last six years, we have handled approximately 1,300 cases of reported accidents, of which 90% were percutaneous, most involving needlesticks. Such cases were frequently caused by the inadequate disposal and recapping of needles. In these accidents, 20% of the source patients were HIV positive, 10% were hepatitis C positive, and 7.6% were hepatitis B positive. This review summarizes the guidelines for a standardized response when dealing with accidents involving health care workers. Transmission of hepatitis B and HIV can be reduced if adequate preventive measures are taken in advance. If proper prophylaxis is not bei
Disciplines: Medicina,
Sociología
Keyword: Hospitales,
Salud pública,
Sociología del trabajo,
VIH,
Quimioprofilaxis,
Lesiones por agujas,
Riesgos laborales,
Prevención
Keyword: Medicine,
Sociology,
Hospitals,
Public health,
Sociology of labor,
HIV,
Chemoprophylaxis,
Needlestick injuries,
Occupational risks,
Prevention
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