Romanian Nurses’ Inadequate Infection-Control Practices Might Explain Injection-Associated HBV Transmission, Study Says
Nurses' inadequate infection-control practices in Romanian hospitals may be associated with cases of hepatitis B among children under age five in the country, according to a new study published in the Feb. 2 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Romanian Ministry of Health surveillance data from 1997 through 1998 indicating that acute hepatitis B virus infections among children were "associated with receiving injections" spurred CDC researchers to investigate the problem. Medication is "frequently" administered through injection in Romania, and nurses administer most injections, the CDC reports. Researchers conducted a systematic survey of every ninth nurse on the Valcea, Romania, district nursing payroll; 212 nurses were surveyed and 180 of those nurses were interviewed. Among the nurses interviewed, 91% were female, the mean age was 40 years and the mean number of years in practice was 20. The study found that although nurses were generally aware of universal precautions to prevent bloodborne pathogen transmission, most were not aware of the risks associated with HBV transmission. Findings from the study are summarized below:
- 99% of respondents reported awareness of universal precautions to prevent bloodborne pathogen transmission;
- 161 out of 177 respondents reported attending "at least one" training session on universal precautions;
- No respondents reported reusing syringes or needles on different patients;
- 62% were not aware that HBV remains infectious "in the environment" for up to one week;
- 53% reported that their work locations did not maintain an area for preparing injections separate from the area where blood and blood-contaminated objects might be handled;
- Only seven respondents knew that the risk for HBV transmission following a needlestick was greater than the risk for HIV transmission;
- Respondents reported shortages of infection-control supplies, including puncture-proof sharps containers (72%), disinfecting solutions (53%) and single-use gloves (60%) (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly, 2/5).