Cardo D, Marcus R, McKibben PS, Culver DH, Bell DM; National Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections.
Program Abstr First Natl Conf Hum Retrovir Relat Infect Natl Conf Hum Retrovir Relat Infect 1st 1993 Wash DC. 1993 Dec 12-16; 183.
CDC, Atlanta, GA.
Since August 1983, CDC has conducted surveillance of HCWs exposed to HIV-infected blood in approximately 300 U.S. hospitals. We reviewed 2248 percutaneous exposure reports (85.9% involving hollow-bore needles) to ascertain the circumstances of injury and type of device used. Injuries occurred after use of the device but before disposal (998 injuries [44.4%], including 413 [18.4%] during recapping); during use of the device (850, 37.8%); during disposal (234, 10.4%); and at other/unknown times (166, 7.4%). Devices included 572 (25.5%) to draw venous (n=450) or arterial (n=122) blood specimens; 508 (22.6%) to connect intravenous (IV) lines; 268 (11.9%) for intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intradermal injections; 185 (8.2%) to flush a heparin lock; 142 (6.3%) to start an IV line; 456 (20.3%) for other; and 117 (5.2%) for unknown purposes. Of the injuries, 807 (35.9%) involved needles attached to syringes; 716 (31.8%), an IV-related needle (connected to piggyback or IV line, stylet); 409 (18.2%), another/unknown hollow-bore needle; 283 (12.6%), other sharp instruments (including 86 suture needles, 72 scalpels); and 33 (1.5%), glass items. Of 1231 HCWs who were HIV negative at the time of exposure and retested greater than or equal to 6 months later, 4 (0.32%) seroconverted. Many percutaneous exposures to HIV-infected blood may be preventable by technological advances that eliminate unnecessary needles or shield the needle during and/or after use.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- HIV
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Personnel
- Needles
- Needlestick Injuries
- Protective Devices
- Syringes
- United States
- blood
- injuries
- instrumentation
Other ID:
UI: 102214669
From Meeting Abstracts