Abstract
Background and objectiveOccupation-related injuries (ORIs) are undesirable and harmful situations among healthcare workers (HCWs) and may have serious consequences. In this study, we aimed to identify and analyze ORI incidences, risk groups, and the outcomes of a training program to prevent them.Materials and methodsBetween January 2011 and December 2019, HCWs who applied for infection prevention and control (IPC) due to ORIs (percutaneous needlestick and sharp-object injury or contact with blood or body fluids) were included in the study. Their characteristic features, vaccine histories, injury types, viral serologies, and administered prophylaxis were recorded. After 2014, a periodic ORI training program was started. We used joinpoint regression analysis to compare the ORI incidences before and after the education program.ResultsDuring the nine-year study period, 965 ORIs were registered. The mean age of HCWs was 39.3 ± 8.4 years, and 67.9% of them were female. The total injury incidence for all professions was 34.1 (95% CI: 33.1-37.5) per 1,000 HCWs. The injury incidences were significantly higher in nurses compared to other HCWs (p<0.01). Most of the injuries occurred in the ward setting (37%). HCWs were injured most commonly while administering treatment (36.7%). The trend analysis for the incidence of injuries showed no significant change throughout the study period. The trend in personal protective equipment (PPE) use showed a significant increase (annual percentage change: 1.7, p<0.01).ConclusionsThe major finding of this study with respect to its implication on the healthcare system is that nurses are an important risk group for ORIs. Although the ORI incidence did not change during the study period, a significantly increased use of appropriate PPE following a systematic training program implementation was observed.
Highlights
Harmful occupational events such as percutaneous needle stick injury (NSI) or injury from sharp objects and contact of mucous membrane and nonintact skin with blood or body fluids (BBFs) are common concerns among healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide
Between January 2011 and December 2019, HCWs who applied for infection prevention and control (IPC) due to Occupation-related injuries (ORIs) were included in the study
The ORI incidence did not change during the study period, a significantly increased use of appropriate protective equipment (PPE) following a systematic training program implementation was observed
Summary
Harmful occupational events such as percutaneous needle stick injury (NSI) or injury from sharp objects and contact of mucous membrane and nonintact skin with blood or body fluids (BBFs) are common concerns among healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. Many kinds of pathogens have been identified, the potentially life-threatening occupation-related bloodborne pathogens are the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [4]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that 66,000 HBV, 16,000 HCV, and 1,000 HIV cases may occur annually among HCWs due to NSIs [5]. The risk of transmission following NSI is 6-30% for HBV, 0-7% for HCV, and
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