The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 192, Issue 5 , Pages e18-e21 , November 2006

Epidemiology of exposure to blood borne pathogens on a surgical service

Presented at the 30th Annual Surgical Symposium of the Association of VA Surgeons, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 7–9, 2006

  • Faisal Bakaeen, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Surgery 112 OCL, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030. Tel.: +1-713-794-8737; fax: +1-713-794-7352.
    • ,
  • Samir Awad, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • Daniel Albo, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • Charles F. Bellows, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • Joseph Huh, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • Clara Kistner, R.N.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • Dorothy Izard

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • Jeffery Triebel, B.S., M.Div.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • Myrna Khan, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
    • ,
  • David H. Berger, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Received 13 May 2006 ,Revised 1 August 2006

References 

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  2. Occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens; needle stick and other sharps injuries; final rule. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor. Final rule; request for comment on the Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements. Fed Regist. 2001;66:5318–5325
  3. Berguer R, Heller PJ. Strategies for preventing sharps injuries in the operating room. Surg Clin North Am. 2005;85:1299–1305
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  5. Gerberding JL, Littell C, Tarkington A, et al. Risk of exposure of surgical personnel to patients’ blood during surgery at San Francisco General Hospital. N Engl J Med. 1990;322:1788–1793
  6. Quebbeman EJ, Telford GL, Hubbard S, et al. Risk of blood contamination and injury to operating room personnel. Ann Surg. 1991;214:614–620
  7. Jagger JM, Bentley M, Tereskerz P. A study of patterns and prevention of blood exposures in OR personnel. AORN J. 1998;67:979–981
  8. Patterson JMJ, Novak CB, Mackinnon SE, et al. Needle stick injuries among medical students. Am J Infect Control. 2003;31:226–230
  9. Jensen SL, Kristensen B, Fabrin K. Double gloving as self protection in abdominal surgery. Eur J Surg. 1997;163:163–167
  10. Caillot JL, Cote C, Abidi H, et al. Electronic evaluation of the value of double gloving. Br J Surg. 1999;86:1387–1390
  11. Naver LP, Gottrup F. Incidence of glove perforations in gastrointestinal surgery and the protective effect of double gloves: a prospective, randomized controlled study. Eur J Surg. 2000;166:293–295
  12. Laine T, Aarnio P. How often does glove perforation occur in surgery? (Comparison between single gloves and a double-gloving system). Am J Surg. 2001;181:564–566
  13. Aarnio P, Laine T. Glove perforation rate in vascular surgery—a comparison between single and double gloving. VASA. 2001;30:122–124
  14. Mingoli A, Sapienza P, Sgarzini G, et al. Influence of blunt needles on surgical glove perforation and safety for the surgeon. Am J Surg. 1996;172:512–516
  15. Hartley JE, Ahmed S, Milkins R, et al. Randomized trial of blunt-tipped versus cutting needles to reduce glove puncture during mass closure of the abdomen. Br J Surg. 1996;83:1156–1157
  16. ACS Surgery: Principles and practice. New York: Web MD; 2002. Available at: www.acssurgery.com/paid4view/yQ6natk6tdWACS0007.pdf.
  17. Eggleston MK, Wax JR, Philput C, et al. Use of surgical pass trays to reduce intraoperative glove perforations. J Matern Fetal Med. 1997;6:245–247
  18. Stringer B, Infante-Rivard C, Hanley JA. Effectiveness of the hands-free technique in reducing operating theatre injuries. Occup Environ Med. 2002;59:703–707
  19. Tokars JI, Bell DM, Culver DH, et al. Percutaneous injuries during surgical procedures. JAMA. 1992;267:2899–2904
  20. Lynch P, White MC. Perioperative blood contact and exposures: a comparison of incident reports and focused studies. Am J Infect Control. 1993;21:357–363

PII: S0002-9610(06)00504-6

doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2006.08.013

The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 192, Issue 5 , Pages e18-e21 , November 2006

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