Infection control and risk assessment: a review, a pilot survey and recommendations

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Morgan, David R.^;

Affiliations: Scientific and International Affairs Division, BMA, London, UK

Note: [] Correspondence to: D.R. Morgan, Professional, Scientific and International Affairs Division, BMA, London WC1H 9JP, UK.

Abstract: With the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis Band C viruses, knowledge about clinical safety, infection control and assessment of occupational risks is now an essential requirement for all health care workers. A pilot study of a cross section of United Kingdom health care staff at two hospitals, attending “AIDS awareness” meetings, indicated that staff may not have sufficient knowledge to enable them to make accurate risk assessments in clinical safety or to follow risk reduction strategies to obviate needlestick injury and exposure to blood-borne viruses. The value of organising AIDS awareness meetings, the need for formal training programmes and implementation of clinical safety recommendations are discussed.

Keywords: Clinical safety, Risk assessment, Risk reduction, Needlestick

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1992-35-602

Journal: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 3, no. 5-6, pp. 241-251, 1992