Minimizing Occupational Exposure to Biohazards

Exposure to body fluids via needlestick injury or otherwise is a risk inherent to interventional radiology. Although the incidence of occupational exposure to biohazards appears to be decreasing in the era of universal precautions, in IR, safety needles are the exception rather than the rule. In the United States, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are the major risks because most health-care workers have access to the hepatitis B vaccine. As a general rule, hepatitis B is most easily transmitted (2 to 40%) from a needlestick injury, followed by hepatitis C (2.7 to 10%) and HIV (0.3%). With postexposure prophylaxis, the risk of contracting HIV is likely even lower than the figure commonly quoted. Unfortunately, there is no effective prophylaxis for hepatitis C exposure.

SUGGESTED READINGS

• 1 Baffoy-Fayard N, Maugat S, Sapoval M et al.. Potential exposure to hepatitis C virus through accidental blood contact in interventional radiology.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2003;  14 173-179
• 2 Hansen M E, Bakal C W, Dixon G D et al.. Guidelines regarding HIV and other bloodborne pathogens in vascular/interventional radiology. SCVIR Technology Assessment Committee.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 1997;  8 667-676
• 3 Marx M V. Hepatitis C virus risk in the interventional radiology environment.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2003;  14 129-131