Practices and impacts post-exposure to blood and body fluid in operating room nurses: A cross-sectional study. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kasatpibal, Nongyao; Whitney, JoAnne D.; Katechanok, Sadubporn; Ngamsakulrat, Sukanya; Malairungsakul, Benjawan; Sirikulsathean, Pinyo; Nuntawinit, Chutatip; Muangnart, Thanisara
• Is Part Of: International journal of nursing studies. Volume 57(2016)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Blood–body fluid exposures -- Impacts -- Needlesticks -- Nurses -- Operating room -- Post-exposure -- Practices -- Sharp injuries; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Nursing; Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.01.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7489

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Improper or inadequate actions taken after blood and body fluid exposures place individuals at risk for infection with bloodborne pathogens. This has potential, significant impact for health and well-being. Objectives: To evaluate the practices and the personal impact experienced following blood and body fluid exposures among operating room nurses. Design: A cross-sectional, multi-center study. Settings: Government and private hospitals from all parts of Thailand. Participants: Operating room nurses from 247 hospitals. Methods: A questionnaire eliciting responses on characteristics, post-exposure practices, and impacts was sent to 2500 operating room nurses. Results: Usable questionnaires were returned by 2031 operating room nurses (81.2%). Of these 1270 had experience with blood and body fluid exposures (62.5%). Most operating room nurses did not report blood and body fluid exposures (60.9%). The major reasons of underreporting were low risk source (40.2%) and belief that they were not important to report (16.3%). Improper post-exposure practices were identified, 9.8% did not clean exposure area immediately, 18.0% squeezed out the wound, and 71.1% used antiseptic solution for cleansing a puncture wound. Post-exposure, 58.5% of them sought counseling, 16.3% took antiretroviral prophylaxis, 23.8% had serologic testing for hepatitis B and 43.1% for hepatitis C. The main personal impacts were anxiety (57.7%), stress (24.2%), and insomnia (10.2%). Conclusions: High underreporting, inappropriate post-exposure practices and impacts of exposure were identified from this study. Comprehensive education and effective training of post-exposure management may be keys to resolving these important problems.