Infections in British clinical laboratories, 1986-87

Area of Science:

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Surveys are crucial for understanding laboratory-associated infections (LAIs).
• Previous data highlighted risks for specific laboratory roles.
• The period 1986-87 saw continued monitoring of infection incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the incidence of infections among laboratory staff.
• To identify probable sources of infection (occupational vs. community).
• To determine which laboratory roles have the highest risk for LAIs.

Main Methods:

• A continuing survey of 235 laboratories from 1986-87.
• Data collection on 15 reported infections over 28,524 person-years.
• Categorization of infection sources as occupational or community-acquired.

Main Results:

• Overall infection incidence was 52.6 per 100,000 person-years.
• Occupational exposure caused 35 per 100,000 person-years.
• Medical laboratory scientific officers (MLSOs) in microbiology and mortuary technicians had the highest LAI rates.

Conclusions:

• MLSOs in microbiology and mortuary technicians are at significant risk for LAIs.
• Community sources contributed to some tuberculosis and salmonellosis cases.
• Extending the survey to forensic labs did not reveal additional infections.