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Healthcare workers (HCW) frequently face the risk of occupational infection with blood-borne pathogens. Most exposures among HCW are caused by percutaneous injuries with sharp objects contaminated with blood or body fluids.
Methods
Projeto Riscobiologico.org is a non-profit web-based research group for the prevention of occupational infections among HCWs, founded in August of 2000 in Brazil. We used data from 22 collaborating centers in Brazil who participate in PSBio, this voluntary network with standardized methods for recording occupational exposures to blood-borne pathogens.
Results
We analyzed data from hospitals participating in the National Voluntary Surveillance System – PSBio, since August 2003, representing 22 collaborating centers (20 hospitals x 2 non-hospitals, 16 private x public, 2 university x 20 non-university). As of June 2011, 6,688 exposures to blood or bloody fluids have been reported and 5,487 (82.0%) were percutaneous injuries. The most involved HCW categories were: nurses/aides/students (52.6%) and physicians/residents/students (17.8%) followed by housekeepers (7.2%). Circumstances most commonly associated with percutaneous injuries were: finger/heelstick (13.4%), peripheral venous access/IV line (12.5%), surgeries including suture (11.9%), SQ/ID injections (9.0%) and phlebotomy (6.8%). Seventy-eight percent of healthcare workers (HCWs) were exposed to known patient-sources – 1.3% HBsAg positive, 5.0% anti-HCV positive and 7.4% anti-HIV positive. In 37.0% cases, follow-up (clinical-laboratory) of exposed HCWs was necessary. One exposed HCW in this group seroconverted to Hepatitis C virus.
Discussion
Data collected in this system will assist hospitals, organizations, and public health agencies. Our data shows a high number of cases associated with easily preventable exposures. Although safety devices are available in Brazil (and now they are mandatory), their use is still not widespread. This surveillance system will allow to monitor national trends, to assess the risks, and to evaluate preventive measures, including engineering control measures, work practices, protective equipment, and PEP to prevent occupationally acquired infections.