Barriers to the reporting and management of needlestick injuries among surgeons |
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Authors: | R Kennedy S Kelly S Gonsalves P A Mc Cann |
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Institution: | (1) Department of General Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland;(2) Department of ENT Surgery, Craigavon Area Hospital, Portadown, Northern Ireland;(3) Department of Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Leeds, UK;(4) Department of Surgery, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, UK;(5) 24 Ormonde Park, Belfast, BT10 0LS, Northern Ireland |
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Abstract: | Objective Needlestick injuries are common within surgical practice and carry the risk of transmission of blood borne viruses. Key to
reducing this risk is an accessible system of reporting and involvement of occupational health services. We aimed to identify
surgeons’ attitude and experience dealing with such injuries and identify why in many cases needlestick injuries go unreported.
Methods 70 questionnaires were hand delivered to surgeons and trainees across 3 UK hospitals and a variety of surgical specialties.
The number of injuries and reporting practice was identified. Surgeons were asked to identify from a list the reasons why
they did not report their injuries and record importance on a 5-point scale (0–4).
Results 52 surgeons and trainees replied (75%). 42 (81%) had suffered at least 1 needlestick injury with 4 (8%) reporting more than
20. 8 (19%) had reported all their injuries to occupational health with no significant difference in reporting between consultants
and trainees (P = 0.2). 12 (23%) felt that reporting of injuries helped to reduce transmission rates. 18 (35%) said that a needlestick had
caused them moderate or significant anxiety. The top reasons for not reporting were (0–4). (1) Process too time consuming
(2.7), (2) transmission risk very low (2.6), (3) do not want to disrupt operating list (2.0), (4) post exposure prophylaxis
ineffective (1.3).
Conclusions Most surgeons and trainees do not report all their needlestick injuries to occupational health despite many reporting injury
related anxiety. The process is felt to take too long and the perceived risk of viral transmission is low. |
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Keywords: | Needlestick Viral transmission Reporting Occupational health |
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