Document 0530
 DOCN  M9490530
 TI    [Occupational injuries with risk of transmission of blood-borne
       pathogens. A study of a 2-year material from the Holstebro Central
       Hospital]
 DT    9411
 AU    Kaczan E; Gottlieb I; Jans H; Holstebro Centralsygehus, medicinsk
       afdeling.
 SO    Ugeskr Laeger. 1994 Jul 25;156(30):4360-4. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94345932
 AB    In order to illuminate causes of accidental occupational exposure of the
       house staff at the Central Hospital of Holstebro (CHH) to the potential
       hazards of HIV- and HBV-transmission, all cases of reported injuries
       occurring in 1991-1992 have been analysed. Needleprick lesions were
       found to account for the great majority of the reported cases (71%).
       Sixty-six percent of all injuries were self-inflicted during medical
       procedures, while 34% were caused by another person, either directly
       (simultaneous contact of two persons with the contaminated sharp object)
       or indirectly as a result of carelessness or negligence. Seventy-two
       percent of the analysed exposures could have been avoided if the staff
       had complied with Universal Precautions recommended since 1988. In order
       to estimate the amount of unreported cases, all nurses and laboratory
       technicians currently employed at CHH were asked to complete an
       anonymous questionnaire reviewing their past (1991-1992) mucocutaneous
       and percutaneous exposures to blood or body fluids. Only 28% of the
       injuries recalled by the subjects had been reported. If the risk of
       occupational transmission of blood-borne diseases is to be minimized,
       additional effort must be made to clarify the principles of the
       Universal Precautions policy. It is of great importance that all
       injuries are reported by way of an easy reporting procedure which is
       efficient and familiar to the staff at any time.
 DE    *Accidents, Occupational  *Blood-Borne Pathogens  Denmark  Disease
       Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/*PREVENTION &  CONTROL  English
       Abstract  Hepatitis B/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION  Human  HIV
       Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION  *Laboratory Personnel
       Needlestick Injuries/COMPLICATIONS/PREVENTION & CONTROL  *Nursing Staff,
       Hospital  Questionnaires  Retrospective Studies  Risk Factors  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).