Procedure-related rate of contact of intensive care unit personnel with patient body fluids

Abstract

We prospectively recorded the frequency with which ICU personnel came in contact with body fluids in order to provide an empirical basis for the recommendation of relevant protective precautions. ICU personnel completed a questionnaire when performing a range of 29 standardized procedures. The rate of contact with body fluid was: manual ventilation (55%); catheterization of peripheral vein (36%); insertion of central venous catheter (69%); arterial puncture (18%); tracheal intubation (76%); tracheal extubation (87%); suction from mouth, pharynx or trachea (82%); drawing of blood sample (52%); establishing or discontinuing blood transfusion (50%); establishing or discontinuing infusion (20%); changing of wound dressing (52%). We suggest that the contact rates observed should be used in combination with a universal precautions policy, in order to identify procedures that are likely to involve contact with body fluid. By using gloves 95% of contacts to body fluid would have been prevented.