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Results for “Needlestick Injuries”

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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Epidemiology of needlestick injuries in house officers.

Eighty-eight medical students, interns, and residents were surveyed to study the epidemiology of their percutaneous exposures to blood. Respondents described 159 injuries in 221 person-years (py) of exposure in hospital wards and 213 injuries in 166 py of exposure in operating rooms. Nearly all injuries (greater than 98%) were needlesticks; less than 5% were reported to occupational health services. Rates of ward-related injury were highest for students (0.97/py) and decreased during training. Most injuries were due to recapping of used needles. In contrast to ward-related injury, rates of operating room-related injury were relatively low for nonsurgical students and interns (0.3/py), higher for surgical students (1.36/py), and stable over surgical residency training (mean, 5.4/py). Virtually all surgical injuries occurred during suturing. Further research into mechanisms of needlestick injuries and product design for their prevention are needed.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed1990

Risk reduction through testing, screening and infection control precautions--with special emphasis on needlestick injuries.

Transmission of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pose substantial risks to institutional healthcare employees working with blood. While the risk of contracting hepatitis B in the hospital setting is much greater than the probability of acquiring HIV, the cost of treating the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)--if it develops--is much greater in both dollars and human suffering. In addition to the risks posed by the presence of HIV infection in the hospital increase daily. By the end of 1990, one of every 14 hospitalized patients will be an HIV carrier. Of all hospital-related injuries to employees, the highest percentage (35%) is caused by needlestick/"sharps" punctures. Over a 12-month period, approximately 18,000 hepatitis cases reportedly have been caused by needlestick accidents. After nurses, housekeeping personnel--victims of incorrectly disposed needles--are most at risk. Nurses incur 58% of needlesticks when needles are broken, cut or recapped. Currently, there are products on the market specifically designed to eliminate contact with needles. These cartridge-needle safety units allow for only one-time use, thus doing away with the possibility of recapping. Initial expenditures for new equipment are well worthwhile; the implementation of revised safety precautions are not only worthwhile but also required by law. The dollar costs imposed on hospitals by accidental transmission of bloodborne diseases include tests for the employee, treatment, outpatient visits and wages. One pilot study prevention program conducted in an 800-bed hospital resulted in a 53% reduction in needlestick injuries.

HIV Infections↗

PubMed1992

An examination of needlestick injury rates, hepatitis B vaccination uptake and instruction on 'sharps' technique among medical students.

A 12-question survey designed to examine venepuncture techniques and instruction and uptake of hepatitis B vaccination was completed by 172 of the 275 medical students to whom it was distributed (a response rate of 62.5%). Seventy-five injuries were reported, at an average of 0.3 per student per year. Of the respondents, 63% resheathed needles after use, a practice frequently cited as a cause of needlestick injury. However, in this sample resheathing was not significantly associated with a higher or lower injury rate (chi 2 = 2.07, P > 0.1). Of the respondents from the most recent intake, only 20 out of 57 had completed a course of hepatitis B vaccinations prior to the commencement of venepuncture duties. There was almost universal ignorance concerning the correct course of action following 'sharps' injury. Recommendations are made concerning hepatitis B vaccination and teaching strategies for medical students.

Bloodletting↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Human infection with B virus following a needlestick injury.

A 26-year-old veterinary technician who became infected with B virus at the site of a needlestick injury is described. After the patient was treated with intravenous acyclovir, all cultures became negative for B virus and have remained so during treatment with oral acyclovir. The literature on infections due to B virus in humans is reviewed, and a detailed discussion of the various aspects of this simian herpesvirus is presented.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Preventing needlestick injuries.

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Humans↗

PubMed1992

Needlestick injuries.

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Humans↗

PubMed1990

Guidelines for the use of zidovudine for post-exposure prophylaxis after needlestick injuries in health care settings.

A protocol for the management of health care personnel after exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus in the workplace is set out. The use of zidovudine is advocated, although sufficient evidence for its use in these circumstances is lacking. Recommendations for zidovudine chemoprophylaxis, including dosage regimens, duration of therapy, and laboratory monitoring tests, are given. The need to avoid occupational needlestick injuries is stressed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992