Strengths and Weaknesses in the Risk Management of Blood-Borne Infections: Qualitative Research in Public Health

Anita Gębska Kuczerowska, Artur Błoński, Joanna Kuczerowska and Robert Gajda
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Anita Gębska Kuczerowska: National Institute of Public Health,24 Chocimska str., 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
Artur Błoński: National Institute of Public Health,24 Chocimska str., 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
Joanna Kuczerowska: Department Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bródnowski Hospital, Medical University in Warsaw, Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland
Robert Gajda: Gajda-Med Medical Center in Pułtusk, ul. Piotra Skargi 23/29, 06-100 Pułtusk, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-9

Abstract: This article presents the research from the first phase of our study on blood-borne risk management, wherein we solicited epidemiologists’ and healthcare practitioners’ expert opinions on a blood-borne infection risk assessment in Poland. Forty-two experts were recommended by epidemiology consultants and recruited from all districts in Poland. We used the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) method in the evaluation. Experts’ opinions showed that there is room for improvement in the prevention of blood-borne infections. Commonly reported weaknesses in the risk assessment included gaps in knowledge and inappropriate procedures, which are largely caused by financial constraints and practitioners’ lack of awareness of developments in their trade. Strengths included legal regulations for medical services and procedures, surveillance, and increasing awareness on the part of medical staff. When paired with the existing statistical data, these results provide a comprehensive view of the problem of blood-borne infections in Poland. The analysis supported the development of a strategy proposal to prevent blood-borne infections and enhance existing risk assessment procedures.

Keywords: blood-borne infections; risk management; strengths; weaknesses; public health; Data-Aided Process Enhancement and Repair (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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