Non-Hospital Occupational Blood Exposure Accidents: A Nine-Year Retrospective Analysis of post-exposure HIV, Hepatitis B and C Risk Management in the Netherlands

Occupational blood exposure accidents (OBEA) pose significant risks to healthcare workers, potentially exposing them to hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV.While most research focuses on hospital settings, this study assessed OBEA management in non-hospital contexts.Although our data predates the COVID pandemic, findings remain highly relevant, especially for healthcare professionals working outside hospital settings.A retrospective analysis of OBEA registry data (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014) was conducted in a southern Dutch region.Data included demographics, profession, workplace, injury type, source status (HBV, HCV, HIV), risk assessment, post-exposure measures, and lab results.Chi-square and t-tests were applied.In total, 975 OBEA were reported.Among nurses, medical assistants, students, and housekeeping staff, subcutaneous needles (51-67%) and lancets (25%) were common exposure sources.Police officers mainly reported biting (26%), scratching, or spitting (70%).HBV vaccination coverage ranged from 18% (housekeeping) to over 90% (nurses, police).Post-exposure measures were taken in 52% of cases.High-risk exposures (43%) mainly affected ambulance staff, sterilisation workers, police, and dentists.Sources were tested in 85% of high-risk cases: 1.4% were HBV-positive, 2% HCV-positive, 1.1% HIV-positive.No seroconversions occurred.Results stress the need for better HBV vaccination coverage, targeted prevention, and prompt OBEA reporting outside hospital settings.