Exposure prone procedures (EPPs)

 

Specialist areas

Functional requirements

Details/ health and safety factors

Exposure prone procedures (EPPs)

EPP work includes:

 

Surgery

Obstetrics and gynaecology

Dentistry

Emergency Medicine

EPPs are those procedures where the worker's gloved hands may be in contact with sharp instruments, needle tips or sharp tissues (e.g. bone or teeth) inside a patient's open body cavity or wound, where the hands or fingertips may not be completely visible at all times. A sharps injury to the healthcare worker undertaking an EPP may result in the patient being contaminated with the blood of the healthcare worker, with risk of infection.

May present problems for individuals who are not fit to perform EPPs e.g. doctors or dentists infected with HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C

 

Individual assessment required depending on type of blood borne virus and job role. Would require specialist Occupational Health advice

 

See

HIV Infected Healthcare Workers: Guidance on Management and Patient Notification. Department of Health July 2005