WORKPLACE INJURIES IN THE CLINICAL CENTER OF SERBIA IN THE PERIOD 2005-2009

Abstract

The aim of our study was to assess the incidence of workplace injuries in the employees in the Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade, in the period 2005-2009. We used clinical documentation on workplace injuries and data were analyzed by descriptive epidemiologic method. Eighty three injures were registered from 2005 to 2009 with a rising trend (y=2,1x+10,5; R 2 =0, 4208). Forty out of 83 injured workers were health workers (doctors and nurses) (48.19 %); 43 out of 84 injured workers (51.8%) were non-health workers. Seven out of 40 injured health workers were doctors, and 33 were nurses. Among the non-health workers, the major number of injuries occurred in cleaners (13) and in workers employed in administration (12). Forty-eight out of 83 injures (57.1%) occurred in the workplace, while remaining 36 (42.9%) occurred on the way to work. Health workers had more frequent injuries at work compared to nonmedical staff, but the difference was not statistically significant. Traumatism occurred most frequently due to falling (49-58.3%) and the most frequent cause of injuries was bad organization of the working process, responsible for 42 cases (50,60%). Upper and lower limbs were most frequently fractured, while contusions were the most frequent types of injuries. Two accidental needle punctures were observed only in nurses. No statistically significant difference was observed between health and non-health workers in regard to the severity of injuries, localization, source and way of sustaining injury, as well as the distribution of injuries during the week. Acta Medica Medianae 2011; 50(3):27-33.