Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104884

Robyn R.M. Gershon, MHS DrPH¹, Jonathan D. Rosen, MS, CIH², Cynthia Gurney, PhD, RN³, Marissa A. Barrera, MS¹, and Caitlin W. Winnen, BSN¹. (1) Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 600 west 168th st, 4th floor, New York, NY 10032, 212 305-1186, rg405@columbia.edu, (2) Occupational Safety & Health Department, New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO, 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110, (3) Planning & Research, New York State Nurses Association, 11 Cornell Road, Latham, NY 12110-1499

Purpose: The acuity of care in the home healthcare setting is increasing, yet risk assessment data for blood/body fluid exposure in home healthcare workers (HHCWs) is sparse. This is especially worrisome given the estimated workforce of 700,000, the home healthcare environment may present challenges to the adoption of standard infection control practices. To assess risk in this population, we recently analyzed a subset of home healthcare specific data from a larger study of registered nurses (RNs).

Methods: Risk assessment data were obtained from confidential, self-administered mailed questionnaires.

Results: Of 1156 respondents, 72 (6.2%) were employed in the home healthcare setting. The majority were middle aged (x=49yrs) female RNs (90%), with over 10 years of home health work experience. Job tasks with potential exposure included sharps disposal (35%), phlebotomy (46%), injections (76%), use needles/other sharps (47%), & IV insertions (16%). Eighty-one percent reported HBV vaccination, although 6% reported that they had HBV infection markers. A considerable percentage (22.5%) reported experiencing a needlestick/contaminated sharps injury at their present job; in 40% of the cases, a safety device was used at the time of exposure. Training was substandard; safety devices were not readily available; 25% were not provided safety butterfly needles, 28% did not have safety syringes & needles, 36% did not have safety lancets, 11% did not have safety vacutainer systems.

Conclusion: These preliminary data document occupational risk to bloodborne pathogens among HHCWs. Risk reduction strategies should be tailored to the special needs and circumstances for this population of healthcare workers.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. List the risk factors for exposure for HHCWs.
• 2. Describe the unique characteristics of the home health environment that might serve to increase risk for this group of health care workers.
• 3. Describe potential strategies that might help reduce risk for this population of healthcare workers.

Keywords: Injury Risk, Home Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation