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Med. Pr. 2006;57(4):375-379

Risk bloodborne infections in health care workers

Incydenty stwarzające ryzyko zakażenia drogą krwiopochodną w pracy białego personelu służby zdrowia

Bartosz Bilski, Anna Kostiukow, Dawid Ptak Poznan University of Medical Science, Poznań, Poland

Abstract

The paper presents current data on epidemiology and risk factors responsible for incidents leading to blood-borne infections among health care workers. In many countries, the number of this type of incidents has markedly decreased, whereas in Poland blood-borne infections are still a serious problem. Unfortunately, the circumstances, in which such incidences happen, are frequently caused by oversight and typical mistakes. The problem also lies in that not all cases are regularly reported. Therefore, itis essential to draw special attention to under- and post-graduate programs covering all medical professions, in which the problem of occupational and hospital infections should be an obligatory element of training.

Key words

accident at work, occupational exposure, syringe needle prick, infection, blood-borne pathogens, health care workers