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Exposure to bloodborne pathogens via neediesticks and blood and bodily fluid exposures continues to be a significant problem among nurses and other health core workers. The pathogens that are of serious concern are human immunodeficiency virus (HiV), hepatitis B virus (HBVj1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Though the risk of transmission is low, the fear and anxiety after an occupational exposure can be devastating.
Health care workers, among them mostly nurses, are exposed to dangerous and deadly bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) on a daily basis through contaminated needlesticks, other sharps, and splashes of blood and other potentially infected bodily fluids (Foley & Leyden, 2005; "Role of Preventable Infections/' 2008). The most common BBPs that are transmitted through occupational exposures are hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The risk of acquiring a bloodborne pathogen from an occupational exposure depends upon several factors such as the type of exposure (mucocutaneous or percutaneous), depth of injury, visible blood on device, procedure involving needle placed directly in a vein or artery, terminal illness in source patient, or post-exposure use of prophylaxis. While the risk of transmission is low, the debilitating effect of these diseases makes each potential exposure a very frightening experience for the exposed employee (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. [APIC], 2005; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2005; Foley & Leyden, 2005; HIV Clinical Resource, 2008). The purpose of this article is to educate nurses about prevention and management of occupational exposure to BBPs with emphasis on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), follow-up, prevention of exposures and secondary transmissions, and bloodborne pathogens standards.
Occupational Exposure
Occupational exposure means contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials through needlesticks, splashes, human bites, cuts, and abrasions that may result from the performance of an employee's duties. See Table 1 for the list of potentially infected materials and bodily fluids (APIC, 2005; CDC, 2005; HIV Clinical Resource, 2008).
Risk of Transmission
The mean risk of acquiring HtV following occupational percutaneous exposure is approximately 0.3%. After a mucous membrane exposure, it is approximately 0.09%. However, the mean risk may be significantly increased in cases in which more than one risk factor (deep injury, hollow gauge needle, needle placed directly in a...