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Accidental blood exposures among emergency medicine residents and young physicians in France: a national survey

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of blood or fluid exposure (BFE) and occupational infection risk among emergency medicine (EM) residents and young physicians (<35 years old) in France. We led a cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey. 1779 participants were contacted with a response rate of 36 % (n = 633). Among the respondents, 459 (72 %) reported at least one BFE. Among participants with at least one BFE, 35 % (n = 163) never reported the exposure to the relevant medical authorities or support. Among participants who reported exposure, 63 % (n = 232) did it immediately. Among participants who never or not systematically reported their BFE, most of them (62 %, n = 181/289) did not do so because the procedure was too long, and 28 % (n = 82/289) estimated the risk as low even if only one-third (n = 166/458) checked their HIV status even though the BFE was at a transmission risk. Circumstances in which the participants had the most BFE were: suturing 57 % (n = 262/457) and when making precipitated gestures 24 % (n = 111/457). The latest exposures were caused by a solid needle in 42 % (n = 191/455) or hollow-bore needle in 27 % (n = 123/455). Post-exposure reporting rates were low. Reporting procedure itself and self-management were the main reasons for BFE underreporting. Simplifying procedures might increase BFE reporting, and allow appropriate post-exposure counseling and/or prophylaxis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emergency Département, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

    Anthony Chauvin & Patrick Plaisance

  2. Faculté de Médecine, Université Diderot, Paris, France

    Anthony Chauvin & Patrick Plaisance

  3. Emergency Département, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

    Dominique Pateron & Youri Yordanov

  4. Faculté de Médecine, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France

    Dominique Pateron & Youri Yordanov

  5. AJMU, Association des Jeunes Médecins Urgentistes, Paris, France

    Anthony Chauvin, Alice Hutin, Thomas Leredu & Youri Yordanov

  6. Emergency Département, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

    Alice Hutin

  7. Faculté de Médecine, Université Descartes, Paris, France

    Alice Hutin

  8. Emergency Département, Hôpital Mignot, Versailles, France

    Thomas Leredu

  9. Hospital Lariboisière, Service d’Accueil des Urgences, 2, rue Ambroise Pare, 75010, Paris, France

    Anthony Chauvin

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  1. Anthony Chauvin
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  2. Alice Hutin
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  3. Thomas Leredu
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  4. Patrick Plaisance
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Correspondence to Anthony Chauvin.

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Chauvin, A., Hutin, A., Leredu, T. et al. Accidental blood exposures among emergency medicine residents and young physicians in France: a national survey. Intern Emerg Med 12, 221–227 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-016-1458-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-016-1458-y

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