Investigation of the Occupational Exposure to Blood-borne Pathogens of Staff at a Third-class Specialist Hospital in 2015-2018: a Retrospective Study

Background: To understand the current situation of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens in a women's and children's hospital and analyze the causes to provide a scientific basis for improving occupational exposure prevention and control measures. Methods: We analyzed occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens in a third-class women's and children's hospital from 2015 to 2018, considering the workers’ occupational categories and length of service; the sites, types, and causes of exposure; and the pathogens of the source patients. Results: From 2015 to 2018, there were 146 cases of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, mainly from sharp-instrument injuries (82.2%). Trainees represented the highest proportion of occupational exposure (30.1%), followed by nurses (29.5%). Occupational exposure among staff with less than one year of service accounted for 43.2% of cases. Fisher's exact test showed that different occupational groups had different types of occupational exposure, and nurses had the highest proportion of blood and body fluid exposure ( P = 0.008). Different occupational groups faced exposure to different types of pathogens: medical staff were more likely than workmen to be exposed to hepatitis B, while workmen were more likely than medical staff to be exposed to unknown pathogens; these differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Health records were established for all cases of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, and no staff members contracted a blood-borne disease due to occupational exposure. Conclusions: In order to reduce occupational exposure, regular training in occupational protection for junior medical staff and workers should be strengthened, the monitoring and protection system of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens improved, standard prevention measures strengthened, operations standardized, safe injection equipment provided, and comprehensive measures taken.