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 one-month history of risk exposures to blood-borne infections was collected. In order to cover the real situation of patient care practices among ambulance personnel during working, 30 ambulance runs were observed. Data from the questionnaire and field observation were analyzed and presented by descriptive statistics. The results indicated that 82% had a history of contact with jaundiced patients, and 95% had a history of contact with AIDS patients. Approximately, 63.4% had a history of contact with patients' blood through injuries; of these, 64.7% had needle stick injuries, and 24.5% had sharp injuries. Data for blood-borne preventive practices from interviews reported 82.6% wore disposaiole gloves when doing a blood puncture or giving intravenous fluid/blood. Only 54% broke off drug vials with a clean cloth or cotton wool to protect from an injury, in contradiction to recommended procedure. 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.