Contact with body fluids when performing gynaecological and obstetric procedures

Abstract

SummarySummaryWe prospectively recorded the frequency with which personnel performing or assisting at gynaecological and obstetric procedures came in contact with patient body fluids, to provide a basis for recommending protective precautions. In 387 of 450 instances (86 per cent; 95 per cent confidence interval 82–89 per cent) contact between patient body fluid and protected or unprotected parts of the health care worker occurred. Contact with the hand occurred in 385 instances (86 per cent). Contact with arm. body, mouth and eye occurred in 12, 4, 0·7 and 0·7 per cent respectively. Protective devices failed to prevent direct contact in 9 cases; penetrating accidents with sharp objects occurred in two cases (0·4 per cent; 95 per cent confidence interval 0·05–2 per cent). For each procedure the rate and nature of contact with body fluid is listed, and the implications concerning prevention of infection with blood borne pathogens, especially HIV, are discussed.