Se Asian J Trop Med
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Se Asian J Trop Med · Jul 2014
Occupational risk towards blood-borne infections among ambulance personnel in a provincial hospital network in Thailand.
Health-care personnel working in an ambulance may be at risk for work-related infections, especially blood-borne infections. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess occupational risks and their preventive practices for blood-borne infections among ambulance personnel working in a provincial hospital network. One hundred sixty-one personnel who voluntarily participated were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. ⋯ The mean score of preventive practices was 7.6±2.2; a score classified at a moderate level. However, data from field observations demonstrated only 30.3% of observed personnel (3/9) used aprons and goggles when contacting a large amount of blood, and only 11.1% (1/9) broke off drug vials with a clean cloths to protect from an injury. Continuous education and training, as well as the improvement of safety equipment are needed to better protect ambulance personnel from occupational risks.