Effect of a Comprehensive Program to Reduce Needlestick Injuries

Abstract

The Arlington Hospital Needlestick Injury (NSI) Prevention Program was created to protect healthcare workers from NSI and to assess the effectiveness of our interventions. Interventions included revising NSI policy and procedures. The average NSI rate dropped from 109 to 43 per year after the interventions, over a period of 4 years.

A training programme for prevention of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens: impact on knowledge, behaviour and incidence of needle stick injuries among student nurses in Changsha, People's Republic of China

“…(1992) showed that a comprehensive 5‐year programme led to a significant decrease in overall sharp injuries. In a different 4 years programme, the average needle stick rate dropped from 109 to 43 per year (Zafar et al . 1997).…”

A Comprehensive Approach to Percutaneous Injury Prevention During Phlebotomy: Results of a Multicenter Study, 1993-1995

“…One such intervention documented sustained success during a 7-year postintervention period. 12,13 Two points should be emphasized: (1) the data presented here should not be used to select one phlebotomy engineered sharps injury prevention device over another, but rather to select engineered sharps injury prevention devices over conventional products; and (2) for phlebotomy engineered sharps injury prevention devices to be successful, they must be implemented in the context of a percutaneous injury prevention program that includes education of healthcare workers, development of a safety culture, and collection of appropriate surveillance data. Accomplishing long-term reduction in a cost-effective manner presents a formidable challenge to healthcare facilities.…”

Occupationally Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: National Case Surveillance Data During 20 Years of the HIV Epidemic in the United States

“…Thus, it is the combination of all administrative and engineering control measures, together with the consistent use of protective equipment (eg, gloves or eyewear) and safer personal work practices, that provides the highest level of protection and is the most effective approach to preventing occupational HIV exposure and infection. 15,16,52 In the era of HAART, the availability of PEP may influence the healthcare worker's attitude toward safety, which, in turn, may influence his or her work practices. Before HAART was widely available, the use of zidovudine following occupational exposure was associated with a decreased February 2003 risk for occupationally acquired HIV infection.…”