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Abstracts, 6th Int. Conf. of the Hospital Infection Society, 15–18 October 2006, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Of those who had had sharp injuries, 30% never reported the accident to the hospital reporting system, 21% sometimes and 49% after every injury. Recapping of the used needles was practiced by 23% of responders. Of the responders 61.5% had completed the flash animation and 83% of them found new information and 33% had changed their habits when working with sharp devices. Discussion: The self education for prevention and action on the occasion of blood injuries by using a flash animation was experienced positively by HCP. As a rapid and always accessible method it is easy to use, when the personnel have time or when an accident has happened. Such an animation could be obligatory for new personnel and may enhance the blood safety. P1.04 Surgical Operation, as a Risk Factor for HCV Infection, a Study Testing Ab, RNA & Genotypes of HCV W. Al-Kubaisy *. Faculty of Medicine, Syrian Arab Republic Medical risk factors associated such as blood transfusion and surgery, have been studied in many countries. Aim: To identify the role of previous surgical operation as a risk factor for acquiring HCV infection. And to identify HCV genotypes among those with such a history. Materials and Methods: Serum samples of 3491 pregnant women, were initially screened for the detection of (anti-HCV). By rd generation of enzyme immunoassay (EIA-3). Reactive results were f confirmed by third generation immunoblott assay (Lia-Tek-111). In addition 94 mothers sera, were subjected (at Laboratories of Sorin Biomedical-Italy) to molecular analysis for the detection of RNA and genotyping of HCV, using the RT-PCR and DNA enzyme immunoassay (DEIA). Results: Anti-HCV seropositivity rate was found significantly three folds higher (7.69%) among 418 women with a history of past surgery compared to (2.6%) of women have no such history p = 0–0001. Women underwent minor operation, shows higher rate of anti-HCV seropositivity (8.14%) than major operation (7.11). Women who underwent minor surgery at a governmental hospital exhibited significantly higher rate of antiHCV, than women underwent at a private hospital (11.3% Vs 4.12 respectively). Past surgical operation was detected as significant risk of exposure to HCV infection OR = 3.1 95% C.I 2.07–4.64) particularly at a governmental hospital (OR 3.5 95%CI 2.3–5.43). no significant HCV RNA was found (78.9%) among women with history of surgical operation. No significant association between distribution of HCV genotypes and past history of surgery. But 9 of the 15 positive HCV-RNA women were found harboring genotype HCV-4. Conclusion & Recommendation: Strong association of HCV positivity was shown with surgical intervention. Surgical operation may act as a risk of exposure to HCV infection. Therefore, we underscore for sterilization of instrument and the use of disposable materials, especially when a high turnover of patient is recommended. P1.05 Protecting Surgical and Clinical Staff T. Galekop *. Ahlstrom, Belgium The facts of influenza will be drawn to the attention of the attendees. Some detailed information will be given on H5N1 and the possible mutation that bird flu will become a concern to humans. With viruses such as HIV, MRSA, CJD, hepatitis, SARS and H5N1 cropping up throughout the world, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel must be better protected while treating infected patients. Particularly in the operating room and as well in the dirty area of the sterilization department, medical personnel need a reasonable expectation of being able to perform their functions and not be in danger of
infection. Throughout the world, industry groups and medical experts have recognized this need for greater protection and are developing new stringent standards for the improved performance of single-use medical fabrics. Fabric-makers, however, are challenged on two fronts – making the fabric to meet the highest levels of protection, but also creating a garment that is comfortable and does not impede wearers from performing their jobs to their best abilities. Too often, medical personnel must choose between protection and comfort. New fabrics protects medical personnel from viral infections and maintains a high level of breathability and comfort even as the wearer’s temperature (and perspiration) rises. However, the most significant advantage of this breakthrough fabric is that the inner monolithic membrane is also breathable due to the construction. The film breathes due to molecular diffusion of water vapour through the thickness of the film. The wearer receives all the advantages of an impervious gown without sacrificing lightweight, breathable comfort. As fabric technology advances with the medical industry’s need for better, stronger, more protective attire, more and more developments will help protect and provide comfort for medical personnel. P1.06 Canadian Needle Stick Surveillance Network (2000–2004) Z. Hong, M. Nguyen, S. Paton *, J. Wu. Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada Background: Canadian Needle Stick Surveillance Network (CNSSN) was established in 2000 by the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor Canadian health care workers’ (HCWs) exposures to blood and body fluids, and to identify seroconversions in HCWs exposed to bloodborne pathogens (BBP). Objectives: To summarize results of occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens from 16 participating sites across Canada; to identify risk factors associated with the exposure incidents; to identify possible changes in the work environment. Methods: Information on HCWs’ needlestick and bloodborne pathogen exposures were collected by standardized forms using WinSISES (Quebec, Canada) or EPINet™ (University of Virginia) software. Risk factors associated with needle stick injuries and bloodborne pathogen acquisions were analyzed using SAS 8.02 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results: From April, 2000 to March, 2004, a total of 4,626 exposures to blood and body fluid were recorded (3,844 percutaneous exposures and 782 mucocutaneous exposures). Most of the incidents occurred among nurses/ nursing assistants (56.3%), medical residents (7.7%), physicians (7.4%), phlebotomists (4.4%), and lab technicians (3.8%). 26.3% of total exposures were reported in medical wards, while 22.0% reported in labour/delivery rooms. Among the types of exposures, needle sticks accounted for most of the exposures (63.67%), followed by other sticks (22.3%), mucous membrane exposures (7.7%). There were 315 source patients tested positive for BBP. A total of 11 HCWs were identified to have new hepatitis B virus infections, and 2 HCWS had new hepatitis C virus infections attributed to needle stick injuries. Conclusion: Ongoing Safety education for health care workers is still important. HCWs should be followed for seroconverion to bloodborne pathogens after exposure to a patient with a bloodborne pathogen. Promotion of safety devices as a fundamental measure to reduce needle stick injuries should be encouraged.