Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune (CT) - FRIDAY May 15, 1987 Edition: SPORTS FINAL Section: NEWS Page: 5 Word Count: 410
Ronald Kotulak, Science Writer
Their warning was prompted by a study of 203 seriously injured patients treated in the Baltimore hospital's emergency room. The study found that six of the patients, or 3 percent, were infected with the AIDS virus and that neither the patients nor the health care workers were aware of it.
The study, which was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that although health-care workers were routinely exposed to the blood of emergency room patients, many of the workers did not wear rubber gloves, masks, eye protection or gowns, said Dr. James Baker of the Johns Hopkins department of emergency medicine.
"Our results indicate that previously unrecognized risk of exposure to HIV (the AIDS virus) can exist during resuscitation of critically ill emergency patients," he said.
The lack of proper precautions among health-care workers appears to be caused by a misperception that they face little or no risk of being infected with the AIDS virus from contact with an infected patient's blood, said Baker.
However, needle injuries among health-care workers are common, and the workers are routinely exposed to patients' blood, he said.
"While we recognize that current data thoroughly support a very limited likelihood of acquisition of the HIV virus during the provision of health care, we recommend as a minimum that gloves be worn when exposed to blood, and that particular care should be exercised when inserting intravenous lines in the uncontrolled field setting," he said.
Several cases have been reported worldwide of health-care workers' becoming infected with the AIDS virus after sustaining needle injuries while administering to infected patients, he said. Furthermore there are two cases of workers' becoming infected even though they did not sustain needle injuries, he said. They had frequent ungloved contact with infected blood and other body secretions of infected patients, he said, but it is possible that they contacted the virus in some other way not connected with their jobs.
"We conclude that infection-control precautions are indicated for both emergency department personnel and pre-hospital care providers (such as paramedics, police officers, and firefighters) when caring for bleeding patients, whether or not previous suspicion of HIV infection exists," he said.
870515
CT870502
Copyright © 1987 - Chicago Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Chicago Tribune, Permissions Desk, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 http://www.chicagotribune.com
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1987. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1987. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .