Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational exposure to Blood and Body Fluids (BBFs) through Needlestick Injuries (NSIs) or mucosal exposure can lead to the transmission of Blood-borne Viruses (BBVs). Such exposures require a robust reporting system followed by a detailed analysis of their root causes. Aim: To assess occupational exposure incidences and their epidemiological characteristics among Healthcare Workers (HCWs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Pramukhswami Medical College and Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat, India. Data regarding the distribution of exposures, the cadre of HCWs involved, the location in the hospital, and Hepatitis B vaccination status were collected by the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) from January 2012 to December 2022. The data analysis was performed in 2023 using Microsoft Excel 2013. The incidence of exposures was calculated as exposures per 1000 inpatient-days, which is the number of accidental exposures per year divided by inpatient days (the sum of the number of inpatients present on each day of that year) multiplied by 1000. Results: A total of 750 exposures occurred with an incidence density of 0.52 per 1000 patient-days. Nurses, 305 (40.7%) were the most common HCWs affected. The critical care unit, 189 (25.2%) had the highest incidence of exposures. Phlebotomy, 165 (22%) followed by recapping, 140 (18.7%) were the most common modes of exposure. The source was positive for BBVs in 119 (15.8%) cases, whereas it was unknown in 35 (4.6%) cases. Among them, 60 (8%) exposed HCWs had never been vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccination. Conclusion: Accidental exposures continue to be an important occupational health hazard among HCWs, especially nurses. Periodic awareness programs and training to prevent exposures, their reporting, and ongoing data analysis shall help in reducing the incidence of these exposures.

Keywords

• blood and body fluid exposures
• needle stick injury
• prevalence
• vaccination