Title : Hepatitis C virus infection among patients as a risk factor of occupational exposure of nurses in Poland
Abstract:
Infection with hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C) is an important medical and social problem in Poland and worldwide. According to the reports by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in ?ód?, Poland, the majority of cases of infection with HCV or HBV were due to occupational infection in Polish hospitals. The routes of infection with HCV are various types of damage (disruption) of tissue continuity, and contact with infected blood, e.g. medical procedures and occupational exposure). The daily professional activities of nurses expose them to the risk of injuries and contact with infected material. Due to the use of needles and other sharp instruments, this group is more likely to be at risk of tissue disruption and infection with blood-borne pathogens - HCV. The professional groups among medical personnel most frequently exposed are nurses (60.2%) and doctors (26.5%). The tool responsible for the largest number of needlesticks was the needle (73.2%). HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) were found among the examined medical staff, including nurses, e.g. in 2009 (1.40%); 2011 (1.42%); and in 2013 (0.80%). Considering the risk of infection with HCV among nurses and other medical staff it is necessary to observe the procedures of prevention of occupational exposure, proper management of employees after occupational exposure (immediate laboratory tests of the employee and the patient, post-exposure prophylactic administration of immunoglobulin or antiviral agents). Considering a high risk of infection with HCV in medical facilities among nurses and other medical staff it is necessary to conduct a wide range of non-specific methods of prevention – lack of specific methods.
Audience Take Away:
- Expand knowledge concerning health risk associated with HCV infection.
- Strengthen knowledge about the routes of HCV infection - especially in the medical environment.
- Draw nurses' attention to the prevention of hospital-acquired infections due to HCV.
- Motivate nurses to follow procedures after occupational exposure to infectious biological material.
