A 1993 update on biohazards affecting clinical engineers and BMETs

In late 1993, a survey was sent to the subscribers of the Journal of Clinical Engineering to determine: (1) if employers were responding to the biohazards protection needs of BMETs and CEs; (2) if personal protective equipment was being utilized; (3) if occupational exposure perceptions and concerns had changed since a previous survey four years ago; and (4) if educational efforts targeting BMETs and CEs were still needed. The 267 respondents were divided into four groups according to certification status and job title. Results showed that employers were doing an excellent job of providing personal protective equipment, but 50% of the BMETs and CEs chose not to use it. Even though though the occupational exposure illness and disability rate increased to 21% from the 1989 survey rate of 18%, BMETs and CEs still feel confident in their abilities to recognize potential biohazard problems based on visual clues, which can be an error in judgement that can lead to serious adverse effects including illness, disability, or death.