Linked Life Data

9258544

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/9258544

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-9-25
pubmed:abstractText
The objective of this study was to describe the mechanisms of percutaneous blood exposure (PCE) among doctors and discuss rational strategies for prevention. Data were obtained as part of a nation-wide questionnaire survey of occupational blood exposure among hospital employed doctors in Denmark. The doctors were asked to describe their most recent PCE, if any, within the previous 3 months. Detailed information on the instruments, procedures, circumstances and mechanisms that caused the PCE was obtained. Of 9375 doctors, 6256 (67%) responded, and 6005 questionnaires were eligible for analysis. Of 971 described PCE the majority were caused by suture needles (n = 483), i.v.-catheter-stylets (n = 94), injection needles (n = 75), phlebotomy needles (n = 53), scalpels (n = 45), arterial blood sample needles (n = 41) and bone fragments (n = 23). Inattentiveness was the most common cause, contributing to 30.5% of all PCE. Use of fingers rather than instruments was a major cause of injury in surgical specialities and was a contributing cause of 36.9% PCE on suture needles. Common contributing causes when fingers were used (n = 199) were poor space in (30.2%) or view of (18.6%) the operation field. It was often argued that instruments were not practical to use or might harm the tissue. Of 689 PCE in surgical specialties, 17.4% were inflicted by colleagues. Up to 53.3% of PCE on hollow-bore needles could be attributed to unsafe routines like recapping only, but other mechanisms like sudden patient movements and 'acute situation' were common, especially in the case of PCE on i.v.-catheter-stylets. It is concluded that the exposure mechanisms of PCE reflect both unsafe routines, difficult working conditions and unsafe devices. Education in safer working routines are needed in all specialties. Introduction of safer devices should have a high priority in surgical specialties, and should be considered in non-surgical specialties too.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0393-2990
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
13
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
387-93
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-19
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Percutaneous blood exposure among Danish doctors: exposure mechanisms and strategies for prevention.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article