Document 0302
 DOCN  M9590302
 TI    Occupational issues for HIV care providers.
 DT    9509
 AU    Gerberding JL; University of California, San Francisco, USA.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1994 Nov 3-6;6:205 (unnumbered
       abstract). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM6/95291797
 AB    Health care personnel risk exposure to bloodborne pathogens including
       HIV. Recent data suggest that patients may risk nosocomial infection
       with these same pathogens during invasive medical procedures. The
       average transmission risk associated with a discrete percutaneous
       exposure to HIV via a contaminated needle is .2%-.4%. This is not
       adjusted for factors which modify the risk during individual exposure
       events. Source patient virus titer (stage of illness), exposure volume,
       exposure duration, host immune status, decontamination efficacy, and
       post-exposure care are variables which may affect risk. Despite
       widespread use of post-exposure antiretroviral therapy, proof of
       efficacy for occupational exposures is lacking. Exposure prevention
       remains the best strategy for preventing HIV infection. Specific
       attributes (such as technique, device, and ergonomic factors)
       contributing to exposure incidence can be delineated. Procedure-specific
       interventions, based on the degree and type of hazard present during
       specific procedures, is a sensible approach to infection control that
       does not precondition interventions on known or suspected infection
       status in the patient or provider.
 DE    Antiviral Agents/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE  *Blood-Borne Pathogens
       *Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional  Human  HIV
       Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Occupational
       Diseases/*PREVENTION & CONTROL  Occupational Exposure/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL  *Patient Care Team  Risk Factors  MEETING ABSTRACT

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