Abstract:
Background: Needles and sharps injuries are known occupational risks among health care workers. Reporting these injuries is important for early prevention and management of blood-borne infections. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of needles and sharps injuries and underreporting among hospital workers from different sectors.
Methods: A single center cross-sectional study, involving an anonymous survey delivered to 2205 hospital workers. The survey included demographic information about the worker, and information about training, injuries and reporting.
Results: Of the 844 hospital workers respondents (40%), needles and sharps injuries occurred in 443 (53%); the majority were from needles (68%) and at bedside (51%). Significantly higher prevalences of injuries (P<0.001) were noted among physicians (75%) and workers in their forties (61%), and in the emergency and surgical departments (66% and 55%, respectively). Needles and sharps injuries were reported among 28% of workers who did not directly use needles. Underreporting was found in 46%, with a significant decrease in the report rate as the number of injuries increased (P<0.001). Underreporting was significantly more common (P<0.001) among physicians (59%), especially seniors (72%), workers without training about needles and sharps injuries (59%), older age groups (56% in workers above 51 years, P=0.003) and males (54%, P=0.01). The highest underreporting rate was in injuries occurring in the operating room and the lowest in witnessed injuries occurring while passing a needle (82% vs. 31%, P<0.001).
Conclusions: Needles and sharps injuries and underreporting are common among hospital workers from all sectors, including those who do not use needles. Improving preventive measures and reporting should be encouraged. We recommend reducing bedside procedures as possible, and assigning two workers to procedures at risk for injuries, to increase the report rate.
Reference:
Bahat H, Hasidov-Gafni A, Youngster I, Goldman M, Levtzion-Korach O. The Prevalence and Underreporting of Needlestick Injuries Among Hospital Workers: a Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Qual Health Care. 2021 Jan 15:mzab009. doi: 10.1093/intqhc/mzab009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33449085.