Sharps Injury Reporting Amongst Surgeons

Abstract

We showed that despite local trust adherence to Department of Health policy, sharps injury reporting rates are inadequate. Further investment into healthcare worker education as well as a facilitation of the process of reporting may be necessary to improve reporting rates.

Sharps injuries in the operating room

“…The published literature indicates that healthcare professionals, in particular surgeons, continue to demonstrate poor compliance with universal precautions [8]. However, data on the specifics of which personnel are at greater risk and what practices change the risk in this environment are almost nonexistent.…”

HIV Infection: Implications on Surgical Practice

“…The actual number of exposures is much higher than those reported/recorded, as many HCW find that the post-exposure protocols interfere with their schedules, or residents and other junior doctors manage their own post-exposure care, rather than reporting it. Non-compliance with needle stick injury protocols is commonest amongst senior surgeons (Adams et al, 2010;Kerr et al, 2009 (Do et al, 2003). Further, six surgeons thought to have seroconverted after occupational exposure did not either have identified index cases, or their pre-exposure status was unknown (CDC., 2000).…”

“…Most glove perforations (83.3%) had gone unnoticed (Thomas et al, 2001). Bennett et al estimated that double-gloving reduced the size of the blood innoculum in a normal phlebotomy needle to less than 5%, effectively reducing the risk of transmission from 0.3% to 0.009% (Bennet & Howard, 1994;Kerr., 2009). The benefits of double-gloving far outweigh the perceived loss of tactile sensation and dexterity.…”

“…The benefits of double-gloving far outweigh the perceived loss of tactile sensation and dexterity. Additionally, the 'handsfree' technique of handling sharps has been reported to reduce sharps injuries and percutaneous contamination by up to 60% (Kerr et al, 2009). Lefebvre et al found that while a single glove removed more than 97% of contaminant off a tapered needle, two gloves were needed to remove about 91% of contaminant from a cutting suture needle.…”

Subnotificação de acidentes com material biológico pelos profissionais de enfermagem de um hospital-escola do interior paulista

“…Outros autores também encontraram esta resposta e ainda a resposta "falta de tempo" (GANCZAK et al, 2007;KERR et al, 2009;KESSLER et al, 2011;PROCHNOW et al, 2011;QUINN et al, 2009 PROCHNOW et al, 2011;GANCZAK et al, 2007;KESSLER et al, 2011;QUINN et al, 2009 • Dos 352 profissionais acidentados, 48,6% sofreram de duas a cinco exposições no último ano;…”