Inoculation injuries: inter-professional differences in risk-taking and reporting.

Abstract

Guidelines and protocols have been introduced to minimize the risk of transmission of blood-borne viral infections during surgical procedures. However, adherence to these guidelines is reported to be less than complete. A survey of operating theatre professionals was undertaken in one NHS Trust to explore the incidence of inoculation injuries and the extent of non-reporting, together with underlying reasons. A response rate of 72.5% (200/276) was achieved. Significantly more surgeons than nurses and midwives had sustained inoculation injuries: 79/90 (87.8%) compared with 66/106 (62.3%; P<0.001). However, surgeons were significantly less likely than other professionals to report their injuries 39/74 (52.7%) compared with 59/65 (90.8%; P<0.001). It would appear that surgeons' disregard for published guidelines is placing them at a greater risk of contracting blood-borne viral infections than other professionals.