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Compliance With Personal Precautions Against Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Among Laboratory Workers: A Canadian Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Cheryl L. Main*
Affiliation:
Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Soo Chan Carusone
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Kurt Davis
Affiliation:
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Mark Loeb
Affiliation:
Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
*
Department of Microbiology, Hamilton General Hospital, 237 Barton St. E., Room 1-114, Hamilton, ON L8L 2X2 ([email protected])

Abstract

A survey was conducted in laboratories across Canada to determine rates of compliance with recommended safety precautions against exposure to bloodborne pathogens and the rationale for current behaviors. Laboratory workers reported high rates of exposure to bodily fluids and poor rates of compliance with personal protective behaviors. This national study has identified several deficiencies and strategies for improvement.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2008

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