Health professionals at risk of bloodborne viruses
emaxhealth - By Health Protection Agency - Fri, 11/28/2008
Healthcare workers are still being put at risk of bloodborne viruses through occupational exposure and a significant number of these incidents are preventable, according to a report released today by the Health Protection Agency.
'Eye of the Needle', the Agency's bi-annual report into the occupational exposure of healthcare workers to bloodborne viruses, reviews the trends and number of incidents involving exposures, via needlestick injury or sharp objects, to patients with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
In total there were 914 incidents where healthcare workers were put at risk, over the last two years (2006/2007). Four healthcare workers were reported as having acquired hepatitis C infection as a result of their injury.
Between 2000 and 2007, most occupational exposures involved nursing professionals (48% 1447/3039). A recent report by the Royal College of Nursing showed the concerns of nursing staff about occupational exposure to bloodborne viruses and how one third of them feel at risk of contracting diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C following such injuries. Latest figures collected by the Agency for 2007 show that, for the first time, medical and dental professionals reported a higher proportion of significant occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses (46% compared with 44% among nursing staff).
The Agency's research found that some healthcare workers injured at work with sharp objects or needles are still not going for appropriate tests and follow-up checks for hepatitis C. This puts them at unnecessary risk of developing chronic infections.
78% of those who had been put at risk of hepatitis C may not have been followed up adequately, potentially leaving some cases of hepatitis C undiagnosed without treatment or care. If untreated, hepatitis C can lead to chronic liver disease or eventually cancer of the liver.
Professor Mike Catchpole, Director of the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections, said: "Although the numbers of reported healthcare workers infected with hepatitis C following their injury were few, these cases should never have occurred. We all need to do everything we can to prevent occupational exposure injuries occurring. It is important for healthcare workers to report incidents of occupational exposure. Testing and follow up checks are vital as infections can remain undetected for many years. However, our main aim should be doing everything we can to prevent occupational exposure injuries occurring in the first place."
"Many incidents of occupational exposure can be prevented if there is proper adherence to standard precautions for the safe handling and disposal of clinical waste."
On the whole, the report shows encouraging results on the implementation of national policies in the management of these exposure incidents, with the exception of testing and follow-up for hepatitis C.
The report found that guidelines on the use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), administered to healthcare workers to help prevent them contracting HIV, were being adhered to. Other than the five HIV seroconversions reported up to 1999, no new cases of HIV have occurred in the UK among healthcare workers through occupational exposure. This is despite injuries involving HIV infected source patients representing 22% of all occupational exposures through needlesticks and other sharps, between 2000 and 2007.
Dr Fortune Ncube, Consultant Epidemiologist at the Health Protection Agency, said "It is so important that guidelines around the use of PEP are followed and that treatment is provided quickly. This can make the difference between good health or contracting a life-long infection."
"Healthcare workers must be vigilant in reporting possible exposures to infected patients. There is no place for complacency, contracting bloodborne viruses through occupational exposure is a real risk."
Doctors overtake nurses in needlestick and sharps risk, says HPA
Nursing Times - by Lisa Hitchen
The HPA's report – Eye of the Needle – shows that during 2006 and 2007 doctors and dentists reported 46% of work-related exposures to bloodborne viruses via needlestick and sharps injuries, compared to 44% among nurses.
Overall there were 914 incidents of healthcare workers being put at risk over the two year period. Three healthcare workers were reported as having acquired hepatitis C infection as a result of their injury.
The report supports the findings of an RCN survey on needlestick injuries in 2008, published a fortnight ago, which found limited access and support from employers when staff had been exposed.
The HPA found 78% of those at risk of contracting hepatitis C from a needlestick of sharps injury may not have been followed up adequately. Only 22% of staff exposed had received the correct type of tests at the right time as guidelines recommended, the agency report said.
'Testing and follow up checks are vital as infections can remain undetected for many years,' said Professor Mike Catchpole, director of the HPA's centre for infections.
Healthcare staff at risk
The Telegraph - By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor 28 November 2008
More than 900 health professionals have suffered needlestick injuries -- being jabbed with a needle - in two years and four contracted hepatitis C as a result.
But many staff are not seeking help or having proper tests after an accidental injury meaning other cases could be going undetected.
If hepatitis C is left untreated it can lead to chronic liver disease or cancer.
Research by the Health Protection Agency found more than three quarters of staff who have been put at risk of contracting hepatitis C had not been properly followed up.
Professor Mike Catchpole, Director of the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections, said: "Although the numbers of reported healthcare workers infected with hepatitis C following their injury were few, these cases should never have occurred.
" We all need to do everything we can to prevent occupational exposure injuries occurring. It is important for healthcare workers to report incidents of occupational exposure.
"Testing and follow up checks are vital as infections can remain undetected for many years. However, our main aim should be doing everything we can to prevent occupational exposure injuries occurring in the first place.
"Many incidents of occupational exposure can be prevented if there is proper adherence to standard precautions for the safe handling and disposal of clinical waste."
No health professionals have contracted HIV through a needlestick injury since 1999.
