Health and safety of medical personnel in dialysis

Abstract

Patients safety lies in a healthcare employees „safe hands”. Blood- and body fluids exposure can lead to infection by 30 potentially dangerous pathogens. HBV, HCV and HIV belongs to the most dangerous viruses. About 3 million healthcare employees are exposed to blood-borne pathogens. Among the units with heightened risk of work accident with infectious material are dialysis units [1]. Part of healthcare staff is unaware of being infected, becoming a particularly dangerous source of infection for patients and associates. People who are especially exposed to contact with biological material are, inter alia, Dialysis Units workers. Dialysis patients are extremely exposed to infection because of lowered immunity, frequent contact with the hospital environment and frequent hemodialysis. Properly applied dialysis care procedures sets safety level, that can protect patients and staff from undesirable and irreversible infection effects.