OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE OF NURSES WORKING IN HIGH RISK AREAS: AN AUSTRALIAN STUDY

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the incidence, reporting and management of occupational exposure among nurses working in high-risk areas in two major hospitals in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. A structured questionnaire with a mixture of open and closed ended questions was developed to survey the nurses. The responses to each question was analysed using either a quantitative approach for closed ended questions, or a qualitative approach that compared frequency of themes for the open-ended questions. Under reporting of exposures, concern following an exposure and dissatisfaction of nurses with the reporting process were identified. This paper emphasises the need for organisations to have user-friendly protocols for immediate reporting and management of exposures by knowledgeable assessors.