Occupational exposure and protection among health care workers in China / 中国感染控制杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the current situation of occupational exposure and protection among health care workers (HCWs ), and provide evidence for formulating preventive measures of occupational exposure. Methods From April 6,2016 to May 6,2016,questionnaire surveys were conducted in 158 different levels of hos-pitals in 13 provinces in China,occupational exposure,protection management,and monitoring of occupational expo-sure in the first year,2010,and 2015 was surveyed by cluster random sampling method.Results Occupational ex-posure in 81.65% (129/158)of hospitals was responsible by healthcare-associated infection management depart-ments;98.73%(156/158)of hospitals set up the relevant rules and regulations;77.22%(122/158)of hospitals had missing report of occupational exposure.A total of 11 116 times of occupational exposure occurred (1 542 cases in the first year,2 474 in 2010,and 7 100 in 2015).Of various types of occupational exposure,sharp injury accounted for 96.76%;among HCWs sustained occupational exposure,nursing staff accounted for 53.90%;the major de-partment that HCWs who sustained occupational exposure were general wards,operating rooms,and intensive care units;the main medical appliances related to occupational exposure were syringes,scalp needles,and surgical suture needles;high-risk behavior causing occupational exposure were intravenous injection,putting needles into the sharp con-tainers,and surgical suturing;among occupational exposure sources,HBV accounted for 58.69%.Conclusion HCWs in China face a high risk of occupational exposure,occurrence of occupational exposure should be reduced through gov-ernment legislation,application of safety appliances,standardizing behavior of HCWs,proper using of personal pro-tective equipment,strengthening education and training of HCWs,and establishing a sound occupational exposure report,evaluation and follow-up system.