Blood contacts in the operating room after hospital-specific data analysis and action

Background: There has been much work recently to quantify risk of blood exposures among operating room personnel. Little has been done to show the outcome of preventive strategies. Three hospitals implemented a variety of changes after detailed feedback on blood contact data. This report follows those hospitals to document changes in blood contact rates. Methods: Each hospital reviewed detailed data on blood exposures and developed a range of strategies to reduce contacts. In a second data collection period, uniformly trained circulating nurses sought information during surgical procedures on blood contacts among staff. Data were collected on all blood contacts and surgeries during which they occurred. These data were then compared with data from the previous study period, before changes in practices. Results: All blood contacts combined and in each hospital decreased significantly in the second data collection period. Percutaneous exposures also consistently decreased, but did not reach statistical significance. The distribution of types of contact changed, with percutaneous exposures representing a larger proportion of contacts seen in the second period. Similar anatomic locations, devices, and characteristics of surgeries were associated with blood contacts in both periods. Discussion: Specific data provided to operating room personnel motivated the development of specific strategies, although the influence of feedback alone versus specific interventions can not be separated. Analysis and generation of hospital-specific data on blood exposures among operating personnel may have a positive influence in lowering the risk of blood exposures in this population group.