Bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers: managing and reducing risks
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-31)

Managing occupational exposures to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in healthcare workers.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) no longer collects data on occupational exposure as the Significant Occupational Exposures surveillance system has been suspended.

Exposure risks to healthcare workers

Healthcare workers are potentially exposed to bloodborne viruses (BBVs) while they work via:
- percutaneous routes, where a sharp object cuts or penetrates the skin
- mucocutaneous routes, which include contamination of the nose, eyes, broken skin or mouth
Healthcare workers include:
- clinical staff who have regular clinical contact with patients
- laboratory staff who have direct contact with potentially infectious clinical specimens
- non-clinical support staff who may have contact with patients, but not usually of a prolonged or close nature
The risk of a BBV being transmitted depends on:
- the viral load in the infected source patient
- the depth of the injury
- whether the procedure involved placing a needle in a patient’s vein or artery
Significant exposures

A significant exposure is a percutaneous or mucocutaneous exposure to blood or other body fluids from a source patient who is infected with:
- HIV
- hepatitis B surface antigen positive (HBsAg positive)
- hepatitis C
Data collection

Data is no longer collected on occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses as the Significant Occupational Exposures surveillance system has been suspended.

Epidemiology

The UKHSA Eye of the needle report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bloodborne-viruses-eye-of-the-needle) on significant occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers has now been withdrawn as it is out of date. The Significant Occupational Exposures surveillance system was suspended in 2021 and no further data is being collected.

HIV

HIV: surveillance, data and management (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hiv-surveillance-data-and-management)

UK guideline for the use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis 2021 (https://bhiva.org/clinical-guideline/pep-guidelines), British HIV Association (BHIVA)

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B: guidance data and analysis (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hepatitis-b-guidance-data-and-analysis)

See Immunisation against infectious diseases: the green book (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book) on vaccination against hepatitis B and immunisation of healthcare and laboratory staff.

Hepatitis C

Guidance on the investigation and management of occupational exposure to hepatitis C (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140305125031/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947393443), Communicable Disease and Public Health (CDPH) 1999

Management of bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers

UK Advisory Panel (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-advisory-panel-for-healthcare-workers-infected-with-bloodborne-viruses) for healthcare workers living with bloodborne viruses gives advice about the transmission and management of BBVs in healthcare workers and keeps a confidential register of infected workers.

Management of blood borne viruses within the Haemodialysis Unit (https://www.ukkidney.org/health-professionals/guidelines/management-blood-borne-viruses-within-haemodialysis-unit), UK Kidney Association

RIDDOR: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/), Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

BBVs in healthcare workers: health clearance and management (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bbvs-in-healthcare-workers-health-clearance-and-management)