Management of blood and body fluid exposures in police service staff

Abstract

Background: Police service staff are at risk of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids with the consequent risk of blood-borne virus (BBV) infection. Aims: To examine the types of occupational exposure incidents experienced by Scottish police service staff and to evaluate the post-incident management provided by their occupational health (OH) services. Methods: Data were collected on the circumstances and the post-incident management of each incident reported to OH over 12 months. An expert panel reviewed the post-incident management provided by OH. Results: The panel considered that the majority of cases of occupational exposure incurred little or no risk of BBV transmission. In general, the expert panel assessed the post-incident management provided by OH units serving the police as adequate and appropriate. However, some concerns were raised in relation to a small number of incorrect risk assessments and an inconsistent approach to hepatitis C virus (HCV) follow-up blood testing. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that most Scottish police OH departments were providing adequate post-incident management. There is, however, a need for more clarity around BBV risk assessment terminology and development of a standardized HCV testing protocol. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved.