Intraoperative occupational exposure to blood among surgeons

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence of intraoperative occupational exposure to blood among surgeons in a hospital, so as to make effective precaution measures. MethodsCombined with questionnaires, the monitoring data of  occupational  exposure to blood among surgeons from June 2011 to June 2013 were analyzed statistically. ResultsA total of 49 surgeons sustained  115 times of occupational exposure to blood, including  42 times (36.52%) in general surgery surgeons, 36 (31.30%) in orthopedic surgeons,31 (26.96%) in obstetrics and gynecology surgeons, and 6(5.22%) in urinary surgery surgeons. The main occupational exposure were sharp injuries (n=71, 61.74%), blood and body fluid splashing were 44 times (38.26%); the top two exposed sites were hands (49.57%)  and faces (17.39%). 88.70% of exposed cases were given emergent treatment, and 55.65% of  exposed cases were reported. The followup found no surgeons were infected after the prompt and correct treatment.ConclusionSurgeons are at high risk of occupational exposure. Occupational precaution should be strengthened, occupational awareness and ability of HCWs should be enhanced, and postexposure treatment should be improved.