Needlestick injuries

September 15, 2008

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The American Nurses Association (ANA) have announced the findings of the 2008 Study of Nurses’ Views on Workplace Safety and Needlestick Injuries, an independent nationwide survey of more than 700 nurses.

According to the latest research, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of U.S. nurses say needlestick injuries and blood borne infections remain major concerns, and 55 percent believe their workplace safety climate negatively impacts their own personal safety.

Sixty-four percent of nurses report being accidentally stuck by a needle while working. This mirrors findings from the 2006 Study of Needlestick Injuries and Safety Devices. Although in 2008, 75 percent report being stuck by a standard (non-safety) syringe, and in 2006, the figure was 85 percent.

When asked how nurses attained their most recent needlestick injuries, the top three responses include: while giving an injection (28 percent); before activating the safety feature (19 percent); and during the disposal of a non-safety device (19 percent).

Click here for the report.