Do we know if the HSE defines high-risk as from a known infected source? b/w - Kate
>>> Alison Brewster <[log in to unmask]> 17/03/03 15:11:35 >>>
I wrote to the HSE for clarification recently on this, and they
confirmed that all high risk needlesticks - i.e. Hep B, Hep C and HIV -
should be reported as a dangerous occurrence under RIDDOR. This is
because of the presence of a biological agent, with the potential of
release due to the needlestick injury. However low risk incidents do
not need to be. We weren't aware of this until recently, so are just
starting to do this ourselves here.
Alison Brewster
Occupational Health Sister
Southampton NHS
>>> Margaret Mercer <[log in to unmask]> 03/17/03 02:59pm
>>>
dear Listers,
I am reviewing our policy on accidental occupational exposure to blood
borne
viruses and would value your opinion on the following please.
DOH (2000) HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Guidance from the UK
Chief Medical
Officer's Expert Advisory Group on AIDS,
Annex D - Reporting of Ocupational Exposure to HIV to HSE
Para 3 "In the event of exposure to HIV, employers may be
required to report
the event to HSE under RIDDOR (1995).
The most likely requirement, if any, may be the need to report
a dangerous
occurence; namely any exposure or
incident that resulted or could have resulted in the release of
a biological
agent likely to cause severe human infection
or illness..
Para 4 - cases of HIV infection resulting from exposure in the
healthcare
setting will also be normally reportable as a
diseases within the meaning of RIDDOR
Para 4 seems straightforward to me, but am interested to know how you
act on
para 3:
Do you report all needlestick injuries to the HSE (or Local Authority)
as
dangerous occurences under RIDDOR?
or
Do you report them as a dangerous occurence only if the source patient
is
positive to HIV ( and similarly to Hep B,C etc)?
or do you not report them as a dangerous occurence at all and only
report the
incident only as a disease should this happen?
Look forward to hearing what happens in practice
Thanks in anticipation
Margaret Mercer
Unilever UKOHS
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