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health care workers sharps/needlestick injury bloodborne infections
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The Pattern of Sharps Injury to Health Care Workers at Witbank Hospital
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to identify procedures, areas of activity, occupational groups and other variables that carry a high risk of
transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to healthcare workers (HCWs) at Witbank Hospital.
Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among HCWs of Witbank Hospital who were directly involved in patient care over
the two-year period under consideration (1.01.03 – 31.12.04). A directed questionnaire was used to carry out the study.
Results: A total of 435 HCWs completed the questionnaire.
1. A total of 46.7% of respondents had suffered from either needlestick/sharps injury (74.47%) or contamination of skin/mucous membranes
(25.53%).
2. A total of 76.9% of all needlestick/sharps injuries were inflicted by injection needles.
3. Taking blood was the most dangerous procedure/activity: it was responsible for 29.56% of all injuries.
4. A total of 44.61% of injured HCWs reported one injury, 45.59% reported two to three injuries and 9,8% were injured more than three times.
5. The youngest interviewed group (20–29 years old) was injured most frequently (61.9%).
6. Professional nurses, who are the largest professional group employed at the hospital, were involved in 41.38% of all reported injuries.
7. House doctors reported the highest rates of injury: 84.37% of them were injured at least once.
Conclusion: This study showed that there is a well-defined pattern of injuries that can lead to transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to HCWs at Witbank Hospital. The areas of activity, procedures and occupational groups that result in a high risk of transmission of bloodborne infections to HCWs were identified, and will be used to design the preventive strategies.
transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to healthcare workers (HCWs) at Witbank Hospital.
Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among HCWs of Witbank Hospital who were directly involved in patient care over
the two-year period under consideration (1.01.03 – 31.12.04). A directed questionnaire was used to carry out the study.
Results: A total of 435 HCWs completed the questionnaire.
1. A total of 46.7% of respondents had suffered from either needlestick/sharps injury (74.47%) or contamination of skin/mucous membranes
(25.53%).
2. A total of 76.9% of all needlestick/sharps injuries were inflicted by injection needles.
3. Taking blood was the most dangerous procedure/activity: it was responsible for 29.56% of all injuries.
4. A total of 44.61% of injured HCWs reported one injury, 45.59% reported two to three injuries and 9,8% were injured more than three times.
5. The youngest interviewed group (20–29 years old) was injured most frequently (61.9%).
6. Professional nurses, who are the largest professional group employed at the hospital, were involved in 41.38% of all reported injuries.
7. House doctors reported the highest rates of injury: 84.37% of them were injured at least once.
Conclusion: This study showed that there is a well-defined pattern of injuries that can lead to transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to HCWs at Witbank Hospital. The areas of activity, procedures and occupational groups that result in a high risk of transmission of bloodborne infections to HCWs were identified, and will be used to design the preventive strategies.
