Abstract
BackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for occupational blood exposures (OBEs) and transmission of bloodborne pathogens. This study elucidated the incidence rate and epidemiological characteristics of OBEs among HCWs and investigated the pathogen transmission rate for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).MethodsSelf-reported OBEs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were obtained from the electronic recording system. OBE incidence densities per 100 person-years and per 100 bed-years were calculated with a 5-year trend analysis. OBE characteristics and pathogen transmission rates were evaluated.ResultsAmong 10,452 HCWs and 1072 average yearly beds, 1076 OBEs were reported. OBE incidence rate was 5.6 cases per 100 person (full-time equivalent)-years and 20.3 per 100 bed-years. Incidence rate decreased and was significantly associated with a decrease of beds served per HCW. Housekeeping showed the highest OBE rate (14.8%) followed by doctors (8.5%) and nurses (6.2%). OBEs occurred in wards, emergency rooms, and operating rooms (38.1%, 13.3% and 12.2%, respectively) via percutaneous (86.7%) and mucocutaneous exposures (13.2%). Of OBEs associated with HBV (n = 133), HCV (n = 126), and HIV (n = 25), only one led to an infection (HCV; transmission rate of 0.8%). Neither HBV nor HIV infection occurred.ConclusionsOBE incidence rate in a Korean university hospital was 5.6 cases per 100 person-years and 20.3 per 100 bed-years and was related to HCW workload and work proficiency. Though the actual bloodborne pathogen transmission rate was low, efforts to prevent OBE should be made for hospital safety.
Highlights
Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for occupational blood exposures (OBEs) and transmission of bloodborne pathogens
The OBE incidence rate showed an annual 6% decrease, which was statistically significant (Incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.94; 95% Confidence interval [CI] 0.90–0.98, p = 0.006)
This study found an OBE incidence rate of 5.6 per 100 person-years and 20.3 per 100 bed-years in a Korean university hospital
Summary
Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for occupational blood exposures (OBEs) and transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Healthcare worker (HCW) is defined as a person whose activities involve contact with patients or patient bodily fluids [1] This includes nurses, physicians, pharmacists, Lee et al BMC Public Health (2017) 17:827. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that each year, of the 35 million HCWs worldwide, 3 million experience percutaneous exposure to bloodborne pathogens (2 million to HBV, 0.9 million to HCV, and 170,000 to HIV [2]). These injuries result in 70,000 HBV infections, 15,000 HCV infections, and 500 HIV infections. The continuous monitoring of OBE status and consequences is needed
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