scholarly journals Needle Stick and Sharp Injuries Among Healthcare Workers: A retrospective six-year study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Rami Saadeh ◽  
Khaled Khairallah ◽  
Hussein Abozeid ◽  
Lama Al Rashdan ◽  
Mahmoud Alfaqih ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the proportion of needle stick and sharp injuries (NSSIs) among healthcare workers at King Hussein Medical Center (KHMC), Amman, Jordan. Methods: All NSSI reports referred from departments at KHMC to the Preventive Medicine Department between 2013–2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Proportion of NSSIs were calculated and stratified according to age, gender, job title, place and site of injury and the procedure/task during which the injury occurred. Results: There were a total of 393 NSSIs. A significant association was found between the proportion of NSSIs and all tested variables (P <0.001). The reported proportion of NSSIs was highest among nurses (39.7%) followed by cleaners (36.3%), physicians (10.4%), other workers (7.4%) and lab technicians (5.9%) during the study’s six-year period. Hospital wards were the most common locations (46.1%) where injuries took place. Injuries also occurred most frequently during medical waste collection (38.2%). Conclusion: The proportion of NSSIs was highest among nurses and cleaners. Safety policies and training among high-risk groups should be reviewed to reduce the risk of NSSIs. Multicentre studies at a national level should be conducted to examine whether this study’s findings reflect national trends.Keywords: Needlestick Injuries; Safety; Self Report; Nurses; Accident Prevention; Jordan.

Author(s):  
César Pineda-Santoyo ◽  
Abraham Campos-Romero ◽  
Marco A. Luna-Ruiz Esparza ◽  
Liliana E. López-Luna ◽  
Martha E. Sánchez-Zarate ◽  
...  

Few reports have shared the workflows to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infections among risk groups, including healthcare workers (HCWs). This study describes an occupational health program implemented to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 and establishes a back-to-work algorithm in HCWs of 129 Salud Digna outpatient care clinics in Mexico. This program was composed of training plans, screening SARS-CoV-2 infections, the containment of infections, follow-up COVID-19 cases, and continuing supervision in addition to the steady supply and training for the correct use of PPE. From 16 April 2020 to 15 April 2021, 7376 individuals were enrolled, of which 423 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria or refused the follow-up. In the cohort studied, we found a COVID-19 incidence of 35.4% (2610 individuals), lower hospitalization (0.11%), ICU (0.04%) and lethality rate (0.04%). Additionally, 85.9% of COVID-19 cases tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 after 14 days of the first positive test with an average isolation time of 26–33 days. Finally, 99% of people received personal protective equipment and adequate training to use it. Our results show that the program implemented reduced the hospitalization ICU admission and lethality in HCWs; we consider this workflow to help other workplaces offer safe conditions for HCWs and patients.


2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madelyn Azar-Cavanagh ◽  
Pam Burdt ◽  
Judith Green-McKenzie

Objective.To evaluate the effect of introducing an engineered device for preventing injuries from sharp instruments (engineered sharps injury prevention device [ESIPD]) on the percutaneous injury rate in healthcare workers (HCWs).Methods.We undertook a controlled, interventional, before-after study during a period of 3 years (from January 1998 through December 2000) at a major medical center. The study population was HCWs with potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens. HCWs who sustain a needlestick injury are required by hospital policy to report the exposure. A confidential log of these injuries is maintained that includes information on the date and time of the incident, the type and brand of sharp device involved, and whether an ESIPD was used.Intervention.Introduction of an intravenous (IV) catheter stylet with a safety-engineered feature (a retractable protection shield), which was placed in clinics and hospital wards in lieu of other IV catheter devices that did not have safety features. No protective devices were present on suture needles during any of the periods. The incidence of percutaneous needlestick injury by IV catheter and suture needles was evaluated for 18 months before and 18 months after the intervention.Results.After the intervention, the incidence of percutaneous injuries resulting from IV catheters decreased significantly (P < .01), whereas the incidence of injuries resulting from suture needle injuries increased significantly (P < .008).Conclusion.ESIPDs lead to a reduction in percutaneous injuries in HCWs, helping to decrease HCWs' risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Fransson ◽  
Maria Karalexi ◽  
Mary Kimmel ◽  
Emma Bränn ◽  
Natasa Kollia ◽  
...  

AbstractPublic health emergencies such as the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic have significant impact on mental health, and have been shown to impact on already prevalent affective disorders during and after pregnancy. The aim of this study was to utilize modern tools to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as wellbeing and life changes in pregnant women during the pandemic in Sweden, where no lockdown has been in place.Data from the Mom2B, a national ongoing mobile application-based study of pregnant and newly-delivered women were utilized. Participants (n= 1345) filled out self-report screeners of depression, anxiety and wellbeing. Questions about COVID symptoms and effects on life and health care were added from March 2020. Movement data was collected using the phone’s GPS sensor. Mood scores were compared with throughout the months of 2020 and to the levels of a previous collected material. Highest levels of depression and anxiety were evident in April and October 2020. Symptoms were higher among those feeling socially isolated, but not for those infected or with symptomatic family members. Wellbeing and mobility were strongly positively correlated and were lowest in April. Women reported on cancelled healthcare appointments and worry about their partners being absent from the delivery.The Mom2B application enabled gathering information at a national level in real-time as the pandemic has been evolving. Levels of perinatal affective symptoms and low wellbeing were elevated compared with previous years as well as with months with fewer cases of SARS-Cov-2. Similar applications can help healthcare providers and governmental bodies to in real time monitor high-risk groups during crises, as well as to adjust measures and the support offered.FundingThis project was funded by the Uppsala Region to AS, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) to the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akademiska University Hospital, the Swedish Research Council (Grant number 2020-01965) to AS, as well as the Fredrik and Inger Thuring’s Foundation to EF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tun Fizi A ◽  
Maygala A ◽  
Suzana K ◽  
Yogeswari A ◽  
Nishazini MB ◽  
...  

Introduction: Healthcare workers face the risk of infection from potentially deadly diseases from the use of unsafe needles every day. It has been estimated that over 350,000 needlestick and sharps related injuries occur annually with an average of 1,000 infections annually and over 100 deaths by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention). It has been reported that 0.6 cases in average of needle stick injury incident occurred in KPJ Seremban almost every month in 2008. Analysis was done and it was that found that the majority of cases were due to failure to adhere to universal precautions. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was done (January to December 2008). Data was collected from reviewed incidence reports. Statistics showed that needle stick injuries occurred after a procedure and during disposal of used needles. We then introduced several measures with these aims; to inculcate ‘Safety Culture’ among healthcare workers through quality training, to ensure that all newly qualified healthcare workers are well trained in handling sharp devices, to reduce the incidence of needlestick injuries, to do effective monitoring audit, to convey knowledge to healthcare workers on safety practices by Infection control team. These strategies included; High quality education and training to all staffs conducted continuously, identifying those at risk, introduce safer medical devices – using of Angiocath for setting IV line and needle-less injection port and providing for a secure work environment. Results: 1) Needle stick injury cases reduce 65% as compared to last year. 2) Through surveys and questionnaires, 95% of healthcare workers understand and adhere to universal precautions in 2009 as compared 30% in previous year. 3) Number training conducted increased from 7days in year 2008 to 21 days in year 2009. Conclusion: Collaborative and participative approaches are helpful in reducing the transmission of blood borne pathogens and other sharps-related injuries.


Author(s):  
N. Gita ◽  
N. P. Rao

Background: Needle stick injuries (NSI) is notably one of the most common and preventable occupational hazard amongst healthcare workers (HCW). This article reports the findings of a clinical audit for needle stick injuries (NSI) conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India.Methods: Clinical audit was conducted at the 123 bed ISO 9002 certified and NABH accredited tertiary care hospital having safety protocols and incident reporting mechanisms in place. Data included all reported and unreported events of NSI. Information about the unreported events was collected through personal interview of all HCWs (99 men and 180 women) and employed doctors (23 men and 09 women). The nature of events and situations when NSI occurred were described. This being a only exploratory analysis is done.Results: With a total of 36,376 patients treated in the hospital during 2015, a total of 2,16,336 injections were given. Only 11 NSI events were documented during the year and all were reported voluntarily by the HCWs after the incident occurred. All events occurred in the HCWs and no doctors were involved in any of the NSI events. The number of NSI events per 1000 patients treated (IPD and OPD) was 0.302, i.e. 0.03%, and the annual incidence was 8.94% for the hospital beds. Female HCW’s (63.6%) were involved more in NSI than males (36.4%).Conclusions: Continuous education of all categories of HCWs plays a crucial role in capturing NSI. Staff should be encouraged to self-report without any delay and should treat each NSI as an emergency.


Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole J. Peak ◽  
James C. Overholser ◽  
Josephine Ridley ◽  
Abby Braden ◽  
Lauren Fisher ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: People who feel they have become a burden on others may become susceptible to suicidal ideation. When people no longer feel capable or productive, they may assume that friends and family members would be better off without them. Aim: The present study was designed to assess preliminary psychometric properties of a new measure, the Perceived Burdensomeness (PBS) Scale. Method: Depressed psychiatric patients (N = 173) were recruited from a veterans affairs medical center. Patients were assessed with a structured diagnostic interview and self-report measures assessing perceived burdensomeness, depression severity, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. Results: The present study supported preliminary evidence of reliability and concurrent validity of the PBS. Additionally, perceived burdensomeness was significantly associated with higher levels of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: It is hoped that with the aid of the PBS clinicians may be able to intervene more specifically in the treatment of suicidality.


2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (17) ◽  
pp. 649-654
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
Tünde Tóthné Tóth ◽  
József Kónya

The swine-origin new influenza variant A(H1N1) emerged in 2009 and changed the epidemiology of the 2009/2010 influenza season globally and at national level. Aims: The aim of the authors was to analyse the cases of two influenza seasons. Methods: The Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University has 1690 beds with 85 000 patients admitted per year. The diagnosis of influenza was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction in the microbiological laboratories of the University and the National Epidemiological Centre, according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The incidence of influenza was not higher than that observed in the previous season, but two high-risk patient groups were identified: pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency (oncohematological and organ transplant patients). The influenza vaccine, which is free for high-risk groups and health care workers in Hungary, appeared to be effective for prevention, because in the 2010/2011 influenza season none of the 58 patients who were administered the vaccination developed influenza. Conclusion: It is an important task to protect oncohematological and organ transplant patients. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 649–654.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Diotallevi ◽  
Anna Campanati ◽  
Giulia Radi ◽  
Oriana Simonetti ◽  
Emanuela Martina ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED Two months have passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic of the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus, on March 11, 2020. Medical and healthcare workers have continued to be on the frontline to defeat this disease, however, continual changes are being made to their working habits which are proving to be difficult. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a major reorganisation of all hospital wards, including dermatological wards, has been carried out in order to make medical and nursing staff available in COVID wards and to prevent the spread of infection. These strategies, which were also adopted in our clinic, proved to be effective, as no staff members or patients were infected by the virus. Now, thanks to the global decrease in SARS-CovV2 infections, it is necessary to make dermatological wards accessible to patients again, but it is also essential to adopt specific protocols to avoid a new wave of infections.


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