Introduction:

Laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) remain a significant occupational hazard worldwide, with the potential for public health risks beyond the laboratory. This study examined 2016 to 2023 data from the Laboratory Incident Notification Canada (LINC) surveillance system to identify risk factors associated with LAIs in Canadian laboratories.

Methods:

LINC incident reports, focusing on LAIs resulting from exposures to human pathogens or toxins, were analyzed. Potential risk factors contributing to LAIs were identified through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between potential risk factors and the incidence of LAIs.

Results:

Between 2016 and 2023, there were eight LAI exposure incidents that met the inclusion criteria and 354 non-LAI exposure incidents. Bivariate analyses between 10 potential risk factors and LAI occurrence only identified failure of or inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) to be statistically significantly associated with LAIs (p = 0.027). Regression analysis demonstrated the importance of PPE, where failure of or inadequate PPE was associated with increased odds of LAI (odds ratio = 4.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 19.28), having adjusted for other potential risk factors. The time trend revealed some variance in the total number of affected persons, with a particular peak in 2018.

Conclusion:

Failure of or inadequate PPE was a significant risk factor for LAIs in Canadian laboratories, thus reinforcing the importance of safety protocol adherence, ongoing training, and targeted interventions to reduce the risk of LAIs.

Search results

Analysis of Risk Factors of Laboratory-acquired Infections in Canada: 2016–2023 Data from the Laboratory Incident Notification Canada Surveillance System