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Biomedical subjects

E S Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to E S Phillips.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

A survey of percutaneous/mucocutaneous injury reporting in a public teaching hospital.

Our objective was to determine if healthcare workers were reporting all percutaneous and/or mucocutaneous injuries and to use such data to formulate appropriate interventions. The Infection Control Department distributed anonymous surveys of healthcare personnel between 1992 and 1995. The elicited information included the number of percutaneous and mucocutaneous injuries experienced and reported in the last five years and the reasons for not reporting every exposure when applicable. Five hundred and forty nine surveys were received, from physicians, dentists, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nurses aides, and operating room technicians. Overall, of the 549 respondents, 45% (245) had no injuries, 30% (163) had been injured and had reported all injuries, and 26% (141) had not reported all injuries. Reasons for not reporting included sterile/clean needlestick (39%), little or no perception of risk to employee (26%), too busy (9%), and dissatisfaction with follow-up procedures (8%). Reasons stated for not reporting injuries indicate a need for continued education in the risk of acquiring blood-borne pathogens from such injuries. The results also illustrate the importance of targeting prevention efforts to specific groups, such as physicians, that would not be identified by routine reporting mechanisms.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

Percutaneous injury analysis: consistent categorization, effective reduction methods, and future strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of an 8-year analysis of percutaneous injuries (PI), to describe interventions to decrease these injuries, and to discuss future prevention strategies. DESIGN: Using consistent methods, 881 percutaneous injury reports were reviewed, categorized, and analyzed from 1986 through 1993. SETTING: A 620-bed acute-care county teaching hospital located in San Jose, California, that is affiliated with Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, California. PARTICIPANTS: Employees of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center who reported percutaneous injuries from 1986 through 1993. INTERVENTIONS: Placement of needle disposal containers in all patient care areas, 1987; education, 1987 to present; communication of percutaneous injury analyses to all departments, 1988 to present; and safety product evaluation and purchases, 1991 to present. RESULTS: The total number of PI decreased by 65% (P = .0007) from 1986 through 1993. Recapping injuries decreased from 1986 through 1993 by 88% (P < .0002); interventions that included convenient placement of needle disposal containers and consistent annual education may have contributed to this decrease. Injuries from manipulating intravenous lines or heparin locks decreased in 1992 (P < .03) after purchase of a needleless system for intravenous lines. Injuries from improper disposal or from abrupt patient movement did not decrease significantly over the 8-year period. CONCLUSIONS: This institution has conducted percutaneous injury analysis for 8 years, utilizing consistent reviewers and categorization methods. Successful interventions have reduced recapping injuries, injuries from manipulating intravenous lines/heparin locks, and the overall numbers of PI. The categories of "Improper Disposal" and "Patient Moved Abruptly" present challenges for future reductions, as well as the recently identified problem of staff not using available safety devices or using them improperly.

California↗