Infection and Drug Resistance (Mar 2024)
Risk Factors for Occupational Blood Exposure, Compliance with Policies of Infection Prevention and Control, and Costs Associated with Post Exposure Management Among Nursing Staff
Abstract
Yan Liu, Yang Li, Song Yuan, Wei Ma, Si Chen, Li-Yi Wang Department of Infection Control, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Li-Yi Wang, Department of Infection Control, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215 of Heping West Road; Xinhua District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13673160996, Fax +86 0311 83179721, Email [email protected]: To examine the risk factors linked with occupational blood exposure (OBE) among nursing staff (NS), we pinpoint deficiencies in the compliance with policies of infection prevention and control, and assess the expenditures associated with infection prevention and control.Methods: Healthcare workers that completed an “Occupational Blood Exposure Report Form” were divided into NS (observation) group and non-NS (control) group. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to compare both groups in various aspects. We also explored design patents intended to minimize occupational exposure.Results: The highest incidence of OBE was observed in the department of neurosurgery. Among NS, OBE incidence was found to be influenced by independent risk factors, such as gender, age, occupational title, work location, and incidence of sharps injuries. Protective factors against OBEs included the use of arterial blood gas needles and suture needles. Personal protective equipment (PPE) usage rates were low in both groups prior to OBEs (0.74% vs 0.00%, P > 0.05). Correct emergency management could be improved promptly by both groups following an OBE (P > 0.05). However, the observation group exhibited a higher proportion of blood expression after a sharps injury and a higher re-evaluation rate at 6 months post-exposure compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In 2018, the per capita costs of infection prevention and control for NS were the Chinese Yuan (RMB) 339.43 per individual. In response to these findings, two utility model patents have been authorized.Conclusion: The risk and protective factors related to the occurrence of OBEs were investigated in this study, suggesting that there is a need for improvement in the rate of PPE usage and the re-evaluation rate of OBEs among NS. Additionally, focused training on emergency blood expression and compliance with policies among non-NS personnel is deemed necessary.Keywords: compliance, infection prevention and control, nursing staff
