Survey on accidental exposure to biological materials in the Hospital-University Complex of Sassari during the period 1995-2000
Masia, M.D.; Castiglia, P.; Busonera, B.; Valca, D.; Maida, I.; Mura, I.
Annali di igiene medicina preventiva e di comunita 16(1-2): 365-373
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1120-9135 PMID: 15554541 Document Number: 570944
To study professional exposure to biological materials an investigation was carried out in the Hospital-University Complex of Sassari during the period January 1st 1995-December 31 2000. 1003 occupational accidents were notified (incidence rate=6%). Infirmaries were the most at risk category (45%) and about the half part of the accidents occurred in surgical area (44.7%). The most frequent accident was needle puncture (53%); exposure involved principally the hands (76.3%). The basal serology of injured personnel showed low positivity for any HBV markers (72.7%), HCV (0.4%) and no positivity for HIV; while high levels were found among source patients. From the comparison between serological data (injured vs source), when ascertainable, emerged a biological hazard of 7.7% for HBV, 30.2% for HCV and 3.2% for HIV; however no seroconversions were observed at follow up. The study also pointed out the need of improve prevention programmes.