Abstract
Background :Accidental needle-stick injuries (NSIs) are a hazard for health-care workers and general public health. Orthopaedic surgeons may be more prone to NSIs due to the prevalence of bone spikes in the operative field and the use of sharp orthopaedic instruments such as drills, saws and wires. A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted in the orthopedic wards of Melaka General Hospital. The prevalence of NSIs was 32 (20.9%) and majority of it occurred during assisting in operation theatre 13(37.4%). Among them six (18.8%) were specialist, 12(37.5%) medical officer, 10 (31.2%) house officer and four staff nurses (12.5%). Among the respondents 142 (92.8%) had been immunized against Hepatitis B and 148 (96.7%) participants had knowledge regarding universal precaution. The incidence of NSI among health care workers at orthopaedics ward was not any higher in comparison with the similar studies and it was found out that the prevalence was more in junior doctors compared with specialist and staff nurses and it was statistically significant. Needle sticks injury, health care workers, and standard precaution.
Highlights
Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are the most common occupational hazard that a health care worker (HCW) is exposed to in the work place
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) report in 2012 on health care workers stated that injuries during occupational exposure among the medical and dental professions increased by 131% [100-231] from 2002 to 2011
Baseline characteristics of respondents There was total of 153 health care workers who participated in this study, which included 85 doctors (10 specialist, 25 medical officers and 50 house officers) and 68 staff nurses
Summary
Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are the most common occupational hazard that a health care worker (HCW) is exposed to in the work place. The occupational Health Unit in the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, reported an incidence rate of 4.7 needle stick injuries per 1,000 HCW’s in 20052. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) report in 2012 on health care workers stated that injuries during occupational exposure among the medical and dental professions increased by 131% [100-231] from 2002 to 2011. Majority of these occurred among the ancillary staff. The incidence of NSI among health care workers at orthopaedics ward was not any higher in comparison with the similar studies and it was found out that the prevalence was more in junior doctors compared with specialist and staff nurses and it was statistically significant
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