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Comparison of Visual versus Microscopic Methods to Detect Blood Splatter from an Intravascular Catheter with Engineered Sharps Injury Protection

Part of: BARRY FARR AWARD RECIPIENTS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Aiysha Ansari ,
Padmaja Ramaiah ,
Lillian Collazo ,
Hamisu M. Salihu  and
Donna Haiduven
Aiysha Ansari
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
Padmaja Ramaiah
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Tampa Veterans Administration Research Center of Excellence, Tampa, Florida
Lillian Collazo
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Microbiology Department, James A. Haley Veterans Administration Pathology and Laboratory Medical Services, Tampa, Florida
Hamisu M. Salihu
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
Donna Haiduven*
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Tampa Veterans Administration Research Center of Excellence, Tampa, Florida
*
University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Department of Global Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 56, Tampa, Florida 33612 ([email protected])
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Abstract

Objective.

To determine whether retractable intravenous devices produced blood splatter and whether blood splatter frequency differed between visual and microscopy detection methods.

Methods.

In this laboratory-based experiment, 105 venipunctures were performed in a simulated brachial vein containing mock venous blood. The retraction mechanism was activated in a testing chamber with precut fabric filters, placed at 3 different locations, to capture blood splatter. Differences in filter mass, visual inspection, and microscopic analysis for presence of blood on filters were the units of analysis. Descriptive statistics, paired Student t tests, and k statistics were used for data analysis.

Results.

Blood splatter was detected visually and microscopically as follows: filter A, 70% and 71%, respectively; filter B, 12% and 9%, respectively; and filter C, 13% and 10%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean mass of filter A between before and after activation when confirmed by the naked eye (P = .014) and microscopically (P = .0092). Substantial agreement between methods was observed for filter A (k = 0.78 [95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.92]), filter B (k = 0.73 [95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.95]), and filter C (k = 0.75 [95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.96]). However, blood was detected by microscopy and not by the naked eye in 7 instances (7%).

Conclusions.

Our findings demonstrate that splatter, which can potentially expose healthcare workers (HCWs) to bloodborne pathogens, is associated with the activation of intravascular catheters with retraction mechanisms. HCWs may not detect this splatter when it occurs and may not report a splash to mucous membranes or nonintact skin. The need to wear personal protective equipment when using such devices is reinforced.

Type
Original Article
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 34 , Issue 11 , November 2013 , pp. 1174 - 1180
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2013

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