Universal precautions: attitudes of Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists.

OBJECTIVE

To survey the attitudes of a group of Australasian anaesthetists to the risks of bloodborne infections, and their understanding of Universal Precautions.

DESIGN

A questionnaire survey.

SETTING

A conference on health risks to anaesthetists in August 1995.

PARTICIPANTS

162 Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists.

RESULTS

Two-thirds of anaesthetists favoured preoperative HIV and hepatitis B and C testing; they rarely took "risk" histories from patients preoperatively. Only 37% always wore gloves while administering anaesthetics, and 67% reported they resheathed needles. Thirty-nine per cent had had needlestick injuries in the preceding 12 months; 43% did not always report them. The perceived needlestick accident rate was 1 in 1300 anaesthetics. Most (90%) were immunised against hepatitis B, but 20% of these had never had their serological response checked. Twelve per cent of anaesthetists had had occupational exposure to HIV. A high proportion of the anaesthetists understood the principles of Universal Precautions, but only half of them believed these to be practical.

CONCLUSIONS

The current situation of Australasian anaesthetists not complying with Universal Precautions and not taking a risk history for bloodborne pathogens may carry the greatest risk of accidental infection.