Quantifying and reducing the risk of bloodborne pathogen exposure

AORN J. 2001 Jun;73(6):1135-40, 1142-3, 1145-6; quiz 1147-8, 1151-4. doi: 10.1016/s0001-2092(06)61839-5.

Abstract

The risk of becoming infected with bloodborne pathogens (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV) during surgery is real. The degree of risk for perioperative personnel is related to factors that include participating in large numbers of surgical procedures each year; the nature of perioperative work (e.g., use of different types of sharp instruments): exposure to large amounts of blood and body fluids; the prevalence of bloodborne pathogens in the surgical population; the variation in different organisms' ability to be transmitted; the existence of vaccines and the level of vaccination; the availability of postexposure treatment; and the consequences of acquiring the disease. Controlling risks to perioperative personnel can be accomplished by using the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's three methods of control--redesigning surgical equipment and procedures, changing work practices, and enhancing the personal protection equipment of perioperative personnel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood-Borne Pathogens*
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B / etiology
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B / transmission
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / etiology
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / statistics & numerical data
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control*
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Perioperative Nursing*
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Management
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Viral Vaccines

Substances

  • Viral Vaccines