Needlestick injury in Delhi

February 24, 2009

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Intravenous literature: L.P. Simon (2009) Prevention and management of needlestick injury in Delhi. British Journal of Nursing. 18(4), p.252 – 256.

Abstract:

Needlestick and sharps injuries are the most common cause by which blood borne pathogens are transmitted between patients and health-care workers. A study was conducted to assess the knowledge and existing practices of staff nurses regarding needlestick injuries (NSIs) and evaluate the effectiveness of guidelines developed for the prevention and management of NSIs in a selected government hospital of Delhi. The study revealed that 70% of staff nurses had sustained NSI. The majority 24 (68%) got NSI with a hollow-bore needle. There was lack of awareness among staff nurses regarding prevention and management of NSIs. Among the nurses who sustained NSI, the majority (71%) did not report it. The developed guidelines regarding prevention and management of NSI was found to be effective in enhancing the knowledge and improving the practices of staff nurses. It is useful for British nurses to be able to compare their experience of NSI with that of nurses in Delhi, to see if lessons can be learnt that can be applied British nursing.

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