Determination and prioritization of factors affecting the occurrence of needle stick injuries among healthcare workers using techniques of Delphi and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP)

Abstract

Introduction Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a major hazard in the workplace for healthcare workers. To prevent these injuries, it is essential to determine the important factors affecting the occurrence of them. This study aimed to identify, classify and prioritize these factors using techniques of Delphi and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). Methods This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2022. Firstly, the factors affecting the occurrence of needlestick injuries were identified by the literature review. Moreover, the Delphi technique was used to identify the factors. 20 experts (physicians, nurses, and occupational health experts) participated in the steps of the Delphi method. Then, these factors were grouped into six groups. In the next step, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) was applied to prioritize the factors. For this purpose, the pairwise comparison questionnaire was designed and filled out by 20 experts. Finally, data were analyzed using MATLAB software (version 2018a). Results 42 factors (31 factors extracted from the literature review and 11 factors obtained from the Delphi technique) were identified in this study. These factors were categorized into six groups. Based on the results, the relative weight of non-demographic personal factors, tool and technology factors, job factors, organizational factors, demographic personal factors, and environmental factors were computed by 0.200, 0.185, 0.184, 0.157, 0.142, and 0.133, respectively. Conclusion These results determined the importance of the factors affecting the occurrence of needlestick injuries. These findings can be useful for planning preventive measures.

A novel framework for human factors analysis and classification system for medical errors (HFACS-MES)—A Delphi study and causality analysis

“…The use of Delphi method has recently been widely used in health sciences and determining factors affecting MEs. In a study, Mousavi et al [59], used the Delphi technique to determine and prioritize factors affecting the occurrence of needle stick injuries in health workers. In another study, Ghasemi and Taheri [60] used the Delphi method to determine the factors influencing the creation of MEs and stated that this method can well bring the opinion of experts to a consensus on specialized issues.…”