Epinet 

Uniform Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Report
77 Hospitals, 1993-1995

Total Cases: 1396

JOB CATEGORY
M.D. (attending/staff) 22 2%
M.D. (intern/resident/fellow) 48 3%
Medical student 6 0%
Nurse RN/LPN 729 52%
Nursing student 21 2%
Respiratory therapist 48 3%
Surgery attendant 30 2%
Other attendant 99 7%
Phlebotomist/venipuncture/I.V. team 36 3%
Clinical laboratory worker 117 8%
Technologist (non-lab) 57 4%
Dentist 0 0%
Dental hygienist 0 0%
Housekeeper/laundry worker 24 2%
Other 144 10%
( 4 missing)


PLACE OF OCCURRENCE
Where did the injury occur in the institution?
Patient room 584 42%
Outside patient room 37 3%
Emergency department 79 6%
Intensive/critical care unit 166 12%
Operating room 148 11%
Outpatient clinic/office 21 2%
Blood bank 17 1%
Venipuncture 0 0%
Dialysis facility 5 0%
Procedure room 83 6%
Clinical laboratories 108 8%
Autopsy/pathology 3 0%
Service/utility area 21 2%
Other 120 9%
( 2 missing)


SOURCE PATIENT
Was the source patient known?
Yes 1233 88%
No 85 6%
Unknown 49 4%
N/A 24 2%
( 3 missing)


BODY FLUIDS
Which body fluids were involved in the exposure?
Blood or blood product 908 65%
Vomit 25 2%
CSF 10 1%
Peritoneal fluid 27 2%
Pleural fluid 14 1%
Amniotic fluid 7 1%
Urine 157 11%
Other 249 18%


EXPOSED PART
Was the exposed part:
Intact skin 585 42%
Non-intact skin 225 16%
Eye(s) 782 56%
Nose 71 5%
Mouth 151 11%
Other 50 4%


TYPE OF EXPOSURE
Did the blood or body fluid:
Touch unprotected skin 1211 87%
Touch skin through gap between protective garments 104 7%
Soak through protective garment 22 2%
Soak through clothing 90 6%


PROTECTIVE ITEMS WORN
Which protective items were worn at the time of the exposure?
Single pair latex/vinyl gloves 851 61%
Double pair latex/vinyl gloves 83 6%
Goggles 34 2%
Eyeglasses 182 13%
Faceshield 29 2%
Surgical mask 156 11%
Surgical gown 143 10%
Plastic apron 7 1%
Lab coat, cloth 160 11%
Lab coat, other 32 2%
Other item 120 9%


RESULT
Was the exposure the result of:
Direct patient exposure 0 0%
Specimen container leaked/spilled 165 12%
Specimen container broke 55 4%
IV tubing/bag/pump leaked 241 17%
Other body fluid container spilled/leaked 232 17%
Touched contaminated equipment 83 6%
Touched contaimnated drapes/sheets, etc. 45 3%
Unknown 21 2%
Other 515 37%
( 18 missing)


TIME IN CONTACT
For how long was the blood or body fluid in contact with your skin or mucous membranes?
Less than 5 minutes 1156 83%
5-14 minutes 155 11%
15 minutes - 1 hour 43 3%
More than 1 hour 22 2%
( 17 missing)


QUANTITY
Estimate the quantity of blood/body fluid that came in contact with your skin or mucous membranes:
Small amount (up to 5 cc) 1223 88%
Moderate amount (5-50 cc) 112 8%
Large amount (more than 50 cc) 35 3%


BODY PART
Right hand, back 130
Right hand, front 121
Left hand, front 110
Left hand, back 54
Right arm 72
Left arm 59
Head 1375
Chest 67
Back 5
Mid-body 14
Right leg 35
Left leg 28
Right foot 15
Left foot 14


OSHA
Is this incident OSHA reportable?
Yes 167 12%
No 931 67%
( 293 missing)


For those cases that are OSHA reportable:
Cumulative number of days away from work: 0
Cumulative number of days of restricted work activity: 0