INCIDENCE OF NEEDLE STICK AND SHARPS INJURIES AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL, SAUDI ARABIA | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine | ||||
| Article 9, Volume 42, Issue 2, May 2018, Page 271-284 PDF (322.47 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejom.2018.6810 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
| Elsherbeny EE; Niazy NA | ||||
| Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Introduction: Needle Stick Injuries are common and expected among health‑care workers during execution of their patient care services. Aim of work: To estimate annual incidence of needle stick and sharps injuries among health care workers and to describe the associated factors and type of injuries in a tertiary hospital in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The target group was all health care workers who obligatory reported for needle stick, sharp injuries during the period from January 2013 to December 2015. The occupational health specialist of the hospital interviewed them to take full documented history through standard questionnaire, performed examination if needed and requested for necessary investigations for the workers and the source patient if known. Results: about 30% of the injuries occurred in Emergency Rooms, followed by Operating Theater (about 20%). The commonest site of injury was fingers (70%). It was more common among female, especially nurses (33.3%). Investigating their Anti HBs antibody titre showed 90.6 % immune. The highest reported incidence occurs during blood sample collection (28.2%). Health care workers explained the cause of injury in form of being rushed (38.46%) or feeling fatigued (28.20%). Majority of them (58.12%) squeezed and cleaned the affected part with disinfectant as immediate actions following exposure. Conclusion: Occupational injuries with needles or other sharps are common among health care professionals especially nurses. It is more incident at emergency room due to high level of stress and rush at work. Training of workers and is recommended to increase their knowledge about the danger of injuries and the appropriate immediate action to be done after injury. Safety boxes, strict policy of reporting and follow up of the injured workers is mandatory for preventing further injuries and decreasing danger of blood borne diseases. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| needle stick; Sharp Injuries; Health care workers and Tertiary Hospital | ||||
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