KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS examines the issue of blood borne infection – reviewing the latest guidance aimed at protecting healthcare workers.
A newly adopted directive from Europe will strengthen the future protection for all workers at risk of sharps injuries.
The directive needs harmonisation legislation for it to become law in the UK, and the Government has two years before it has to comply. It is good news for all healthcare workers. The main risk, as we all know, is exposure to blood borne viruses. There are over 20 dangerous blood borne pathogens which workers may be exposed to. The best known of these, Hepatitis B, has an effective protective vaccine available. Those working in healthcare, if deemed to work in exposure prone positions, are already protected by mandatory vaccination. However, Hepatitis C and HIV have no such protective vaccines available and are difficult infections to treat. The treatments that are available are unpleasant, may cause significant side effects and there is no guarantee that the treatment will be effective.
Existing preventative practices
Universal or standard precautions are adopted in the UK for the prevention of needle stick injuries where all blood and body fluids are considered to contain potentially hazardous agents. The main activities practised within universal precautions are:
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