scholarly journals Needlestick Injuries in Dentistry

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Gupta ◽  
J Tak

Needlestick injuries and other sharps-related injuries which expose health care professionals to bloodborne pathogens continue to be an important public health concern. Dentists are at increased risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. This article presents comprehensive information on Needlestick injuries (NSI), post exposure prophylaxis, precautions and suggestions for prevention of NSI in dentistry. Dentists should remember and apply many precautions to prevent the broad spectrum of sharps and splash injuries that could occur during the delivery of dental care.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6307 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(3):208-12 

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Sivananjiah Pradeep ◽  
Suman Gadicherla Raghu ◽  
Prathab A G ◽  
Banashankari G Rudresh ◽  
Radhika Kunnavil

The working environment of healthcare workers (HCW) exposes them to sharp injuries. This communication attempts to examine the injury registers, incidence of sharps injuries and blood splash exposures, and the post-exposure prophylaxis status of employees in a tertiary care hospital. Analysis included records form 54 locations of two units of a tertiary hospital attached to a Medical College. Maintenance of the injury register overall was highly satisfactory in both units. Two hundred and nine injuries were recorded from both units of the hospital. The majority of injuries (60.5%) occurred in the age group of 20-30 years with 70% among females. Waste handlers were at increased risk during waste management procedures. Thirty two percent of sharps injury injuries occurred in wards. Of the ward nursing staff, 25.3% received sharps injuries. Post-exposure prophylaxis for Hepatitis B (primary dose) was given to 25 HCWs; 11 received booster doses. The basic regimen for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis was given to 4 HCWs. Awareness about records maintenance, regular documentation, awareness and training, and implementation of appropriate preventive measures can reduce the incidence of injuries. Key words: Sharps, injury register, Health care workers (HCW),Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J L Smith ◽  
R Banerjee ◽  
D R Linkin ◽  
E P Schwab ◽  
P Saberi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is recommended to start within hours of needlestick injuries (NSIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs). Delays associated with awaiting the results of testing from the source patient (whose blood was involved in the NSI) can lead to psychological consequences for the exposed HCW as well as symptomatic toxicities from empiric PEP. Aims After developing a ‘stat’ (immediate) workflow that prioritized phlebotomy and resulting of source patient bloodwork for immediate handling and processing, we retrospectively investigated whether our new workflow had (i) decreased HIV order-result interval times for source patient HIV bloodwork and (ii) decreased the frequency of HIV PEP prescriptions being dispensed to exposed HCWs. Methods We retrospectively analysed NSI records to identify source patient HIV order-result intervals and PEP dispensing frequencies across a 6-year period (encompassing a 54-month pre-intervention period and 16-month post-intervention period). Results We identified 251 NSIs, which occurred at similar frequencies before versus after our intervention (means 3.54 NSIs and 3.75 NSIs per month, respectively). Median HIV order-result intervals decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 195 to 156 min after our intervention, while the proportion of HCWs who received one or more doses of PEP decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from 50% (96/191) to 23% (14/60). Conclusion Using a ‘stat’ workflow to prioritize source patient testing after NSIs, we achieved a modest decrease in order-result intervals and a dramatic decrease in HIV PEP dispensing rates. This simple intervention may improve HCWs’ physical and psychological health during a traumatic time.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Natuline Ianof ◽  
Fabio Rios Freire ◽  
Vanessa Tomé Gonçalves Calado ◽  
Juliana Rhein Lacerda ◽  
Fernanda Coelho ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of lifelong disability and death worldwide. Sport-related traumatic brain injury is an important public health concern. The purpose of this review was to highlight the importance of sport-related concussions. Concussion refers to a transient alteration in consciousness induced by external biomechanical forces transmitted directly or indirectly to the brain. It is a common, although most likely underreported, condition. Contact sports such as American football, rugby, soccer, boxing, basketball and hockey are associated with a relatively high prevalence of concussion. Various factors may be associated with a greater risk of sport-related concussion, such as age, sex, sport played, level of sport played and equipment used. Physical complaints (headache, fatigue, dizziness), behavioral changes (depression, anxiety, irritability) and cognitive impairment are very common after a concussion. The risk of premature return to activities includes the prolongation of post-concussive symptoms and increased risk of concussion recurrence.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kaplun ◽  
Richard J. Martino ◽  
Kristen D. Krause ◽  
Michael Briganti ◽  
Paul A. D’Avanzo ◽  
...  

Methamphetamine use is associated with increased risk of HIV infection among young sexual minority men (SMM). Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an effective strategy for individuals who are exposed to HIV, but there is limited research about PEP use among young SMM and its relationship with methamphetamine use. This study analyzes the association between ever PEP use and recent methamphetamine use among young SMM in New York City, using cross-sectional data from the P18 Cohort Study (n = 429). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between methamphetamine use and ever PEP use. Compared with those who had not used methamphetamine in the last 6 months, young SMM who did use methamphetamine were significantly more likely to have ever used PEP (AOR = 6.07, 95% CI: 2.10–16.86). Young SMM who had ever used PrEP had 16 times higher odds of ever using PEP (AOR = 16, 95% CI: 7.41–35.95). Those who completed bachelor’s degrees were 61% less likely to have ever used PEP (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.88). These data suggest that methamphetamine use could increase the risk of HIV infection, highlighting the critical need to target interventions for young SMM who use methamphetamine and are more likely to engage in unprotected intercourse.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
Jimmy Mond ◽  
Jeffrey Gruenglas

More than 400,000 sexual assaults are reported annually in the United States in females and males above the age of 12. Victims are likely to include members of vulnerable populations such as the disabled, homeless persons, and immigrants. Victims of such assaults are at heightened risk of contracting the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) from their assailant. Unfortunately, approximately two-thirds of people with chronic HBV are unaware of their own status, exposing for victims the risk viral transmission, disease-related cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Victims are also at increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although immediate vaccination of the assaulted victim is recommended, protective levels of antibody are not present for fourteen days post vaccination. Complementary treatment with a Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), however, may provide immediate protective serum concentrations. Prompt prophylactic therapeutic intervention may not only protect patients from risk of infection but may also prevent the effects of PTSD by providing victims with psychological and emotional benefit. Yet, existing Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recommendations for suspected HBV infection in sexual assault patients recommend initiating immunoprophylaxis only in cases where the perpetrator’s HBsAg status is known, a guideline that perpetuates inequities and injustice for those equally subject to the harms of sexual assault. This paper presents an ethical assessment of prophylactic treatment for sexual assault patients suspected of HBV exposure. In the absence of equitable guidelines, we argue for the clinician’s duty to rescue sexually assaulted patients from future harm and to protect the public through mitigation of transmission using currently available and evidence-based treatment modalities. The paper concludes with an ethical foundation to advocate for modification of current guidelines in view of existing prophylactic regimens.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 184-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salisu Abubakar ◽  
Garba Iliyasu ◽  
Farouq Muhammad Dayyab ◽  
Salisu Inuwa ◽  
Rabiu Alhassan Tudun Wada ◽  
...  

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have an increased risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Aims/objectives: We aim to examine the utilisation and outcome of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for both HIV and hepatitis B (HBV) among HCWs. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary hospital in North-Western Nigeria. We reviewed data on HIV or HBV PEP given to HCWs between 2004 and 2016. Results: A total of 115 HCWs presented for PEP during the study period. Intern doctors were the most exposed group (40/115; 34.8%). There were 86/115 (74.8%) needle stick exposures. While 53/115 (46.1%) of the sources of exposure were HIV-positive, 9/115(7.83%) were HBV-positive. Zidovudine-based regimen (40/70) was the most commonly prescribed. No seroconversion occurred among those that completed PEP treatment and follow-up. Discussion: No seroconversion occurred among those that received either or both HIV and HBV PEP and completed PEP treatment.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 702-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrance J. Taylor ◽  
Finn-Aage Esbensen ◽  
Dana Peterson ◽  
Adrienne Freng

The increased risk of violent victimization for adolescents relative to other age groups has recently become a major public health concern. The current study uses data from a multisite study of eighth grade youths attending public schools in 11 cities to determine the extent and nature of youth general and serious violent victimization among both sexes and five racial/ethnic groups in 11 diverse communities. This study explores differences in sex, race/ethnicity, and community independently and explores interactions between sex and community and race/ethnicity and community. Our findings suggest important differences in victimization prevalence and individual victimization rates by sex and community of residence. Racial differences were found to be closely tied to community. Policy implications resulting from our findings are discussed.


Author(s):  
Umberto Tarantino ◽  
Ida Cariati ◽  
Virginia Tancredi ◽  
Donato Casamassima ◽  
Eleonora Piccirilli ◽  
...  

Osteoporosis is a public health concern all over the world. As a chronic condition, it generally requires prolonged medical interventions to limit the risks of further bone loss, impaired skeletal integrity and the onset of fractures. This problem is further complicated by the fact that the abrupt cessation of some therapies may be associated with an increased risk of harm. It is in this context that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption to the provision of healthcare worldwide, exceeding our worst expectations in terms of the number of lives lost and the rapidity at which consolidated economies and healthcare systems are being significantly damaged. In this review, we assessed the challenges and strategies used in the management of osteoporosis and fragility fracture care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examined the available evidence and provided clinical recommendations that will require reassessment as the worldwide response to COVID-19 evolves.


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