Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Among Healthcare Workers and Personal Protective Equipment Usage in the United States

The International Safety Center disseminates the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) surveillance system to standardize a system for healthcare facilities to track mucocutaneous blood and body fluid exposures.

Occupational exposure incidents to blood and body fluids were recorded within the participant health systems and hospitals (N = 41), using the EPINet Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Report Form. Forms include detailed questions about the circumstances surrounding the exposure, including the type of exposure, body part(s) involved, and if the employee reporting the incident was wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

There were statistically significant differences between participants who wore PPE at time of exposure versus those who did not. Differences were noted by job category (χ² =32.91, p-value = <.001); where the exposure occurred (χ² = 32.31, p-value = <.001); what the exposure was a result of (χ² = 50.19, p-value = <.001); and day versus night shift (χ² = 11.47, p-value = .001).

The study found that occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in 2021 remain high risk given the frequency with which they happen, the exposure site (face) and lack of PPE use. The pandemic seemed to matter little in changing frequencies despite high awareness and growing PPE availability and supply. The findings provide robust information about how exposures occur, why they remain high risk, and how important it is to improve reporting and surveillance to prevent occupational exposures and disease in healthcare in future.