"Side" effects of HAART: decreasing and changing occupational exposure to HIV-infected patients

To investigate percutaneous exposures to HIV in the highly active antiretro viral therapy (HAART) era, we performed an analysis of all percutaneous exp osures reported from January 1994 to December 1998 in 18 Italian acute-care hospitals. Frequency and rate per 100 prevalent AIDS cases of HIV exposure s decreased by 40% (from 4.3% to 2.6%, and from 1.0% to 0.6%, respectively; p < 0.001), which were mainly those related to the insertion/manipulation of peripheral vascular access devices (from 7.2% to 4.8%; p = 0.05). We con clude that the benefits of HAART have changed the complexity of care requir ed and therefore, the number and type of procedures performed on HIV patien ts that place the HCW at risk of injury.