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Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Infectious diseases in healthcare workers – an analysis of the standardised data set of a German compensation board

Authors: Albert Nienhaus, Chandrasekharan Kesavachandran, Dana Wendeler, Frank Haamann, Madeleine Dulon

Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Introduction

Healthcare workers (HCW) are exposed to infectious agents. Disease surveillance is therefore needed in order to foster prevention.

Methods

The data of the compensation board that covers HCWs of non-governmental healthcare providers in Germany was analysed for a five-year period. For hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, the period analysed was extended to the last 15 years. The annual rate of occupational infectious diseases (OIDs) per 100,000 employees was calculated. For needlestick injuries (NSI) a rate per 1,000 employees was calculated.

Results

Within the five years from 2005 to 2009 a total of 384 HCV infections were recognised as OIDs (1.5/100,000 employees). Active TB was the second most frequent cause of an OID. While the numbers of HBV and HCV infections decreased, the numbers for active TB did not follow a clear pattern. Needlestick injuries (NSIs) were reported especially often at hospitals (29.9/1,000 versus 7.4/1,000 employees for all other HCWs).

Conclusion

Although they are declining, HCV infections remain frequent in HCWs, as do NSIs. Whether the reinforcement of the recommendations for the use of safety devices in Germany will prevent NSIs and therefore HCV infections should be closely observed.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Infectious diseases in healthcare workers – an analysis of the standardised data set of a German compensation board
Authors
Albert Nienhaus
Chandrasekharan Kesavachandran
Dana Wendeler
Frank Haamann
Madeleine Dulon
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6673
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6673-7-8

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