Exposure of Healthcare Workers to Blood and Bodily Fluids: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis at a Single Center

INTRODUCTION: Due to the nature of their profession, healthcare workers are frequently exposed to blood and bodily fluids, placing them at risk for various infections. Among the main causes of infection risk are blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. This study aims to evaluate the exposure of healthcare workers to blood and bodily fluids and develop strategies to prevent injuries.
METHODS: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis conducted at Health Sciences University Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital between 2014 and 2023. Data were retrospectively collected from the hospital's occupational health and safety unit. Variables analyzed include age, gender, occupation, years of experience, time of injury, and type of exposure. SPSS software was used for data analysis, with continuous variables expressed as medians and categorical data presented as percentages.
RESULTS: The study examined 1,100 healthcare workers. A total of 32.8% of injuries occurred among nurses, while 26.4% involved doctors. Employees with 0–1 years of experience constituted the highest risk group (54.9%). Additionally, 65.2% of injuries occurred during daytime shifts. Among those exposed to known sources, the HBsAg positivity rate was 11.5%, the Anti-HCV positivity rate was 1.5%, and the Anti-HIV positivity rate was 1.4%. A notable increase was observed in annual data during 2018 and 2019, followed by a declining trend after 2020, after which the increase resumed.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Preventive measures such as the use of safe needle technologies, continuous infection control training, and the regulation of working hours are recommended to reduce the risk of injuries among healthcare workers. These measures can improve the quality of healthcare services, ensuring the safety of workers and preventing occupational injuries.