IFPN Position Statement
Right of Protection Against Blood Borne Diseases

The International Federation of Perioperative Nurses is very concerned about the ever- increasing rise in the number of patients and healthcare professionals that are exposed to the risk of infection by blood borne pathogens, worldwide. Professionals engaged in surgery and exposure prone procedures are particularly at risk and should be appropriately educated and provided with protective equipment of sufficient quality to reduce the risk of potential exposure.

An exposure that might place a healthcare worker at risk for Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is defined as percutaneous injury (e.g a needle stick or cut with a sharp object) or contact of mucous membrane or non-intact skin with blood, tissue or other bodily fluids that are potentially harmful (1).

We believe that education of communities and healthcare professionals worldwide must be encouraged; and that:

  • The access to free health services for developing countries must be supported with the delivery of anti-retroviral drugs to patients
  • Healthcare professionals have the right to quality personal protective equipment, education and the use thereof, and healthcare as necessary

IFPN urges that:

  • Employers to make available whatever protection for its' exposure prone workers, of sufficient quality to reduce risk
  • Governments to re-consider all health priorities for the vulnerable and poor enabling free access to anti-retroviral drugs
  • Perioperative nurses to become involved in the uplift and education of the communities in which they live and work, especially of their co-workers and surgical team colleagues

Reference:

Updated US Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposure to HBV, HCV and HIV and recommendations for post- exposure prophylaxis. MMWR, 2001;50( No.RR-11):3

Text removed: The estimated number of HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) cases reaching 350 million with 1.2 carriers reported in America alone. (CDC ref) African countries reporting an estimated 500 new HIV/ Aids cases daily, and the same number of deaths.