P-265 Economic Impact of Preventable Occupational Blood Exposures in a Tunisian Hospital

Introduction Occupational Blood Exposures (OBEs) present is a significant public health concern within healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated costs of OBEs in a hospital. Methods A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted from July 2015 to June 2023. It included all healthcare workers (HCWs) consulting for an OBEs at a university hospital in the capital city of Tunis. Results A total of 440 HCWs were included, comprising nurses (23.9%), physicians (33.9%), technicians (8.6%) and cleaning personnel (15%). Predominantly female (79%) with a sex ratio of 0.26. The average age was 31±8.9 years. Needlestick injuries were the most common incident (90.5%), followed by blood or fluid splashes (5.3%) and sharp object cuts (4.2%). Notably, 40.2% of individuals were not wearing gloves during the OBEs. Needle recapping was associated with 26.7% of accidental exposures, with an associated cost of 9066 d. Additionally, 18.3% of injuries could have been prevented through proper disposal, amounting to a cost of 22252 d. Overall, the cost range for managing reported exposures spanned 28D to 845D (average 115.44D), including check-ups and chemoprophylaxis expenses. Discussion This study’s results underscore the heightened risk of needlestick injuries among HCWs, which contrasts with a study conducted in a hospital in Cameroon in 2013, where blood or fluid splashes were the most reported injuries, followed by needlestick injuries. Conclusion Effectively managing occupational blood and body fluid exposures incurs significant costs. Preventive measures to minimize exposure incidents are crucial in mitigating these expenses.