Bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers: report exposures and reduce risks
Monitoring significant occupational exposures to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in healthcare workers, and advising on avoiding injuries.
Exposure risks to healthcare workers
Healthcare workers are potentially exposed to BBVs while they work via:
- percutaneous routes, where a sharp object cuts or penetrates the skin
- mucocutaneous routes, which include contamination of the nose, eyes, broken skin or mouth
Healthcare workers include:
- clinical staff who have regular clinical contact with patients
- laboratory staff who have direct contact with potentially infectious clinical specimens
- non-clinical support staff who may have contact with patients, but not usually of a prolonged or close nature
The risk of a BBV being transmitted depends on:
- the viral load in the infected source patient
- the depth of the injury
- whether the procedure involved placing a needle in a patient’s vein or artery
Significant exposures
A significant exposure is a percutaneous or mucocutaneous exposure to blood or other body fluids from a source patient who is infected with:
- HIV
- hepatitis B surface antigen positive (HBsAg positive)
- hepatitis C
Data collection
Data collection is temporarily suspended whilst the Significant Occupational Exposures surveillance system is under review.
Submit an exposure report: voluntary and confidential
Data collection is temporarily suspended whilst the Significant Occupational Exposures surveillance system is under review.
Epidemiology
Eye of the needle is the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report on significant occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers: it includes a slide set on significant occupational exposures.
HIV
HIV: surveillance, data and management
UK guideline for the use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis 2021, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH).
HIV-infected health care workers: guidance on management and patient notification, DH 2005.
HIV-infected healthcare workers and exposure prone procedures
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B: guidance data and analysis
See Immunisation against infectious diseases: the green book on vaccination against hepatitis B and immunisation of healthcare and laboratory staff.
Hepatitis B infected healthcare workers and antiviral therapy DH, 2007.
Hepatitis C
HSC 2002/010 - Health service circular and guidance on hepatitis C infected health care workers DH, 2002.
Guidance on the investigation and management of occupational exposure to hepatitis C, CDPH, 1999
Management of bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers
UK Advisory Panel for healthcare workers infected with bloodborne viruses gives advice about transmission and management of BBVs in healthcare workers and keeps a confidential register of infected workers.
Good practice guidelines for renal dialysis/transplantation units: prevention and control of blood-borne virus infection DH, September 2002.
Guidance for clinical healthcare workers: protection against infection with bloodborne viruses DH, March 1998
Health clearance for tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV: new healthcare workers DH, March 2007
RIDDOR: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 from HSE.
Medical and dental students: health clearance for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and tuberculosis from Medical Schools Council, 2008.
Raising awareness of needlestick injuries in healthcare settings
Last updated 20 December 2021 + show all updates
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Updated guidance for data collection and submitting an exposure report to reflect the current ongoing review of the Significant Occupational Exposures surveillance system.
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First published.