Occupational exposure to blood among personnel employed in a department of infectious diseases. 2. Accidental mechanisms and protective devices

: We investigated exposure mechanisms of mucocutaneous (MCE) and percutaneous (PCE) blood exposures and compliance with universal precautions among all formerly and presently employed medical staff from 1987 to 1991 in a Danish Department of Infectious Diseases. All subjects were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. One hundred and thirty-five out of 168 (80%) subjects responded. Thirty-seven PCE and 15 MCE were described. More than 50% of PCE happened during procedures without specific reasons or were caused by unexpected patient movement, while only one PCE was caused by recapping. Thirty-five percent of PCE happened during drawing of venous blood samples. Compliance with usage of gloves was high (70-100%), depending on the procedure, and 72% of the subjects claimed to have sufficient knowledge of the risk of blood exposures and how to prevent it. Still, 11 (73%) out of 15 MCE might have been prevented by appropriate use of protective barriers. To reduce the frequency of blood exposure further the development of safer instruments and continuous education in safer techniques and usage of protective barriers are of major importance.