Standardizing the care of occupational blood-borne pathogen exposures to reduce unnecessary use of the emergency department

Journal of Emergency Nursing : JEN : Official Publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
Lauri HeckValorie Grant

Abstract

Care of health care workers with a blood-borne pathogen (BBP) exposure who seek treatment in emergency departments needs to be standardized. A standardized system may lead to better care for exposed individuals. An interprofessional process was developed to standardize care of occupational BBP exposures in nonemployees. A health planning program design was conducted to compare outcomes before and after the standardized process was enacted. Standardizing treatment of occupational exposures provided more efficient care for exposed nonemployee workers and allowed an improved use of ED resources. Programs developed to improve utilization of the emergency department have a greater chance of success when developed using an interprofessional, collaborative approach.

References

Mar 4, 2008·American Journal of Infection Control·Paul Th L van WijkPeter M Schneeberger
Aug 10, 2012·British Journal of Nursing : BJN·Mairead Holland Flynn, Alex Reid

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