Research findings suggest healthcare workers fail to report blood and body fluid exposure incidents because they think most exposures are not significant, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 505 healthcare professionals. Results showed that 103 of 455 healthcare professionals reported a sharps exposure during their healthcare career, including years in study. Of these, 34 incidents were not reported. Additionally, 105 of 455 healthcare professionals reported a mucocutaneous exposure during their healthcare career. Of these, 87 incidents were not reported.
The most common reason for not reporting was the perception that the exposure was not significant. The second most common reason was a combination of believing the exposure was not significant and being too busy.
Read the study about underreporting blood and body fluid exposure.
Read other coverage about bloodborne pathogens:
- AOHP's No. 1 Concern: Bloodborne Pathogens
- Best Practices for Reducing Bloodborne Pathogens
- Top 10 Most-Cited Health Services OSHA Standards
An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 505 healthcare professionals. Results showed that 103 of 455 healthcare professionals reported a sharps exposure during their healthcare career, including years in study. Of these, 34 incidents were not reported. Additionally, 105 of 455 healthcare professionals reported a mucocutaneous exposure during their healthcare career. Of these, 87 incidents were not reported.
The most common reason for not reporting was the perception that the exposure was not significant. The second most common reason was a combination of believing the exposure was not significant and being too busy.
Read the study about underreporting blood and body fluid exposure.
Read other coverage about bloodborne pathogens:
- AOHP's No. 1 Concern: Bloodborne Pathogens
- Best Practices for Reducing Bloodborne Pathogens
- Top 10 Most-Cited Health Services OSHA Standards