Risk of conjuctival contamination from blood and body fluid splashes during surgery at Muhimboli operation theaters

Abstract

While most surgeons make an effort to avoid needlestick injury, some pay little attention to reduce the potential route of infection occurring when body fluids splash into the eye. It has been shown that transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B or C can occur across any mucous membrane.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the risk of conjuctival contamination with blood /body fluid splashes during surgery and to assess the utilization rate of protective eye gear at Muhimbili Operating Theatres.

DESIGN

Cross sectional, observational study

SETTINGS

The theatre suits of Muhimbili National Hospital and Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute.

SUBJECTIVES

Surgeons and their assistants from all specialties utilizing the main theatres.

RESULTS

The contamination rate for provider protective eye wear was 50.52% with the mean droplets being 3.87, 2.79 and 1.57 per procedure for the primary surgeon, first assistant and second assistant respectively. The nature of surgery, professional rank, type of specialty, duration of procedure, role played during surgery and the use of powertools influenced the contamination rate. Utilization rate of protective eye gear was 30% The .most mentioned reasons for not using protective gears were that the later were uncomfortable, unavailable and misting.

CONCLUSION

The risk of conjuctival contamination was high (50.52%) and utilization rate of special design protective eye wear was low (16%), Changes in attitudes and practices are needed to increase utilization.