Occupational Exposure of Nurses Working in High Risk Areas: an Australian Study

This study aimed to explore the incidence, reporting and management of occupational exposure among nurses working in high-risk areas in two major hospitals in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. A structured questionnaire with a mixture of open and closed ended questions was developed to survey the nurses. The responses to each question was analysed using either a quantitative approach for closed ended questions, or a qualitative approach that compared frequency of themes for the open-ended questions. Under reporting of exposures, concern following an exposure and dissatisfaction of nurses with the reporting process were identified. This paper emphasises the need for organisations to have userfriendly protocols for immediate reporting and management of exposures by knowledgeable assessors. INTRODUCTION Exposure to the blood and body fluids of other people is a significant occupational risk for health care workers and nurses in particular. Occupational exposure is the term used to describe inadvertent exposure in the workplace to the blood or body fluid of a patient. Such exposure may put the person at risk of acquiring blood borne infection. Of greatest concern is the possibility of exposure to one of the three blood borne viruses, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Each of these can be transmitted following a needle stick or mucous membrane exposure.