[Protection of health care personnel from occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens: problems in legislative and other documents adopted in different countries]

Abstract

Contact with human blood is one of the vital issues concerning occupational exposure to biological factors. The fact that pathogens that create high health risk may be transmitted by blood must not be ignored. Considering the problem of biological exposure at workplace, HIV, HBV and HCV are recognized as the most essential viruses. Health care workers belong to the occupational group characterized by the most frequent contact with blood. Infections induced by blood borne pathogens are mostly observed among nurses, laboratory personnel and physicians. In the European Union countries, the USA and Canada, there are relevant legal regulations pertaining to the management of potentially dangerous biological materials, whereas in Poland such regulations have not as yet been developed. Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004, commits the Polish government to harmonize Polish and European Union legislation also in this regard.