[Exposure to blood among hospital physicians]

We used a questionnaire to study the working situation of physicians in two large Norwegian hospitals. During the last six months 40% of the doctors reported one or more episodes of exposure to blood when transfer of infectious agents such as hepatitis B-virus or HIV would have been possible. The fact that so many doctors had been exposed to blood conflicts with the low number reported to the hospital department of the occupational health service. Surprisingly, 40% of the physicians who reported exposure were physicians not taking part in surgical procedures. All hospitals should establish follow-up procedures for employees exposed to blood or other possible infectious agents, and physicians should be urged to follow these routines.