Document 0675
 DOCN  M94A0675
 TI    Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in Australian hospitals.
 DT    9412
 AU    MacDonald M; Elford J; Kaldor J; National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and
       Clinical Research,; Darlinghurst, NSW.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1993 Oct 28-30;5:44 (abstract no. FE4).
       Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM5/94348980
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To describe the reporting of occupational exposure to blood
       and body fluids in Australian hospitals. METHODS: In December 1992,
       questionnaires were sent to 70 teaching hospitals throughout Australia.
       Information was sought on procedures for the reporting and management of
       occupational exposure to blood and body fluids, the number of staff who
       reported occupational exposure and the number of staff prescribed
       prophylactic zidovudine. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were returned
       by 86% of hospitals. All hospitals reported an established procedure for
       reporting and management of occupational exposure to blood and body
       fluids. Information concerning the actual incident was recorded by all
       hospitals although the use of universal precautions at the time of
       injury was routinely documented in only 63% of hospitals. Patient and
       health care worker risk factors for HIV were recorded less frequently,
       however blood tests were performed on both staff member and source
       patient in a majority of hospitals. The median number of reported
       injuries as a percentage of full time equivalent staff in 1991 was 7%.
       Estimates of non reporting ranged from 5% to 80%, median 20%.
       Prophylactic zidovudine was prescribed for 48 staff from 20 hospitals in
       1991. CONCLUSIONS: All Australian teaching hospitals have an established
       procedure for documenting occupational exposure to blood and body
       fluids. Although risk of acquiring HIV infection in the health care
       setting is low, it is important to monitor the risk of occupationally
       acquiring HIV and other infections in a standardized manner so that
       comparative analyses can be made and preventative strategies evaluated.
 DE    Australia/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Cross-Sectional Studies  *Disease Transmission,
       Patient-to-Professional  Hospitals, Teaching/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA
       Human  HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION
       Incidence  Needlestick Injuries/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Occupational
       Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*ETIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL  Patient Care
       Team/*STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Risk Factors  Zidovudine/THERAPEUTIC USE
       MEETING ABSTRACT

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