Preventing bloodborne pathogen transmission from health-care workers to patients. The CDC perspective

Abstract

The development of recommendations to manage the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission from health-care workers to patients during invasive procedures has been difficult, primarily because of the limitations of available scientific data. Ultimately, both health-care workers and patients will be protected best by compliance with infection control precautions and by development of new instruments, protective equipment, and techniques that reduce the likelihood of intraoperative blood exposure without adversely affecting patient care.