© The Author(s) 2010 Reprints and permissions:

Occupational transmission of bloodborne diseases to healthcare workers in developing countries: meeting the challenge Occupational exposure to potentially infectious body fl uids and blood places healthcare workers (HCWs) at risk for acquisition of a range of bloodborne pathogens. After every signifi cant exposure, immediate clinical evaluation must consider the need for post-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of infection. Safe systems of work, the correct use of appropriate personal protective equipment items and the adoption of safer “sharps ” technologies reduce the risk of exposure. Even where clinically indicated, acceptance of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after a signifi cant exposure event is not always guaranteed. For example, in the Rhode Island emergency depart-ments, 3622 individuals who had a signifi cant blood or body fl ui