Accidents Involving Exposure to Blood Among Midwives in French Maternity Wards. Results of the 2003 National Surveillance Study

Objective. The midwifery profession is one of the highest-risk occupations for accidental exposure to blood (AEB). Using data from the national AEB surveillance database, we aimed to describe the AEBs specific to this profession. Materials and Methods. In 2003, 241 facilities participated in the national AEB surveillance program. The facilities anonymously and uniformly documented all BSE incidents reported to occupational health services that occurred among their staff members. The data were then sent to the Center for the Coordination of the Fight Against Nosocomial Infections (C.CLIN), responsible for managing this database, to enable a national analysis of the reported incidents. Results. Of the 6,973 NAI incidents recorded in 2003, 169 (2.4%) were reported by midwives or students. The three most frequently reported incidents were eye splashes during childbirth, needle sticks during episiotomy repairs, and needle sticks or cuts while handling contaminated instruments. Conclusion. NHA due to cuts or punctures are commonly found in other professions performing similar procedures (venipunctures for nurses, suturing for surgeons). In contrast, NHA from splashes is a distinctive feature of the midwifery profession. The mechanisms of these accidents, when they occur during childbirth, are poorly described. It would be worthwhile to conduct specific studies on splashes in the delivery room to enable more appropriate preventive measures.

Author(s): Vincent A, Cohen M, Bernet C, Parneix P, L'heriteau F, Branger B, Talon D, Hommel C, Abiteboul D, Coignard B

Publishing year: 2006

Pages: 247-56

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