Health care workers' action strategies in situations that involve a risk of blood exposure

Previous research shows that health care workers (HCWs) often act in a risky way in blood-exposure situations, and thereby run the risk of becoming infected by blood-borne pathogens. A qualitative study was conducted in order to describe factors that influence HCWs' actions in such situations. Nurses and nursing assistants were interviewed. The analysis shows that HCWs perceive that there is a conflict among different demands. These demands are protecting the patient's privacy, protecting themselves from being infected and respecting the norms of the department. The process of managing this conflict is labelled 'balancing', which most often results in the choice of a diagnosis-related strategy.