Incidence Of Needlestick Injuries Research Articles

HUBUNGAN KEPATUHAN PERAWAT DALAM PENERAPAN STANDAR OPERASIONAL PROSEDUR (SOP) TEKNIK MENYUNTIK DENGAN PENCEGAHAN KEJADIAN TERTUSUK JARUM DI RUMAH SAKIT

Nurses in hospitals are at risk of disease and occupational accidents in accordance with the actions taken. The most common occupational accident is used needle stick puncture wound while taking an injection, more commonly known as the Needle Stick Injury (NSI). If nurses do not comply with the application of SOP of injecting techniques, this can cause needle-punctured occupational accidents that have an impact on the transmission of pathogenic infections that endanger the nurses and patients them selves. Therefore, the role of SOP program is very important to avoid occupational accidents, specifically the incidence of Needle Stick Injury. The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between nurse compliance on the application of injecting technique standard operating procedure with the prevention of needle stick injury in the hospital. The method of this study is Descriptive correlational study with cross sectional design approach by using observations to adhere to the application of injecting and prevention of needle stick injury incidence. The results of the study fromI48 nurses in threeIclass III in patient wards at Kanjuruhan Hospital showed that almost all implementing nurses adhered to the implementation of Injecting technique SOP were as many as 46 nurses (95,8%) and a small number of implementing nurses were less compliant as many as nurses (4,2%). Observation results of NSI incidence prevention of nurses found that almost all nurses had safe actions in the prevention of NSI incidence as many as 38 nurses (79,2%) and a small number of nurses had unsafe actions Ias much as 10 nurses (20,8%). Spearman rank test obtained by the correlation coefficient of (0,406) with a significance value of (0.004) lesser α (0,05). It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between nurse adherence in the application of Injecting technique SOP with the prevention of needle stick injury incidence in hospital. Keywords: Compliance of injecting techniques, needleIstick injury prevention

Comparison of knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding needle-stick injury among health care providers.

Introduction:Needle-stick injury (NSI) is one of the most potential hazards for health care workers. They pose a significant risk of occupational transmission of blood-borne pathogens. The present study was done to determine the incidence of NSI among interns and nurses; their knowledge, attitude, and preventive strategies undertaken by the respondents after NSI.Materials and Methods:The cross-sectional study was done among interns and nurses in various departments of a tertiary care center in Kerala, India using a self-administered questionnaire.Results:The incidences of NSI among interns and nurses were 75.6% and 24.4%, respectively. The most common clinical activity leading to NSI among interns was blood withdrawal (42%) followed by recapping (29%). It was found that nurses had enough knowledge and followed better NSI practices and attitude than the interns.Conclusion:All the parameters analyzed were inadequate among the interns, indicating the need for continual awareness programs particularly during the preclinical years.

Effectiveness of quality improvement on occurrence of needle stick injuries (NSIs) in Harare city, Zimbabwe, 2017: A quasi-experimental study

Background: Globally, healthcare workers (HCWs) incur an estimated two million needle stick injuries (NSIs) per year and 90% of these injuries occur in Africa. In Zimbabwe, neither the prevalence nor the factors associated with HCW-acquired NSI are known. Harare city recorded an increase in NSIs among nurses from 1% in 2013 to 7% in 2016, highest being from the Southern District. We designed and evaluated the effectiveness of a quality improvement (QI) approach towards reduction of NSI incidence. Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study purposively among 83 nurses in southern District. We designed and implemented an intervention package comprising training, deployment of social behavioral change materials and workflow re-organisation. We measured effectiveness of the intervention using Plan, Do Check Act cycle. Data on intervention effectiveness was collected pre and six months post-implementation, using structured questionnaires. Analysis was presented with frequencies, means, and proportions. Results: Lack of knowledge 99% (82/83), unorganised activities 60% (50/83) and limited space in the treatment rooms 59% (49/83), were the major reasons for NSI before intervention. Pre-intervention, 10% (8/83) of the nurses had good knowledge level while 96% (80/83) had good knowledge level post- intervention. The NSI incidence rates pre-intervention was 0.97 NSI/month and 0.17 NSI/month post-intervention, a decline rate of 82% (p< 0.01). Total cost saved by the intervention was $5 777.00. Conclusions: Lack of knowledge on occurrence of NSI, unorganised activities, and limited working space in the treatment rooms were the major reasons for NSIs before the intervention. The QI intervention was effective in reducing incidence of NSI. We recommend HCW trainings on NSI, promotion of socio-behavioral change and workflow re-organisation in order to offset economic efforts directed at managing NSIs.

Needlestick injuries among Malaysian healthcare workers.

Needlestick injury (NSI) is a significant occupational health issue among healthcare workers (HCWs). To determine the national self-reported incidence and risk factors for NSI among Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) HCWs. Using data from the MOH national sharps injury surveillance programme, information on reported NSIs over a 1-year period (2016) for different HCW subgroups were extracted and analysed. A total of 1234 NSI cases were reported in 2016, giving an overall incidence of 6 injuries per 1000 HCWs. Medical doctors recorded the highest incidence (21.1 per 1000 HCWs) followed by dental staff (7.5), pharmacy staff (4.2), nurses (3.7), medical assistants (3.4) and allied and auxiliary staff (1.0). Doctors had significantly increased risk of NSI compared with allied and auxiliary staff (relative risk [RR] = 20.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 15.5-27.5), medical assistants (RR = 6.1, 95% CI 4.5-8.2), nurses (RR = 5.7, 95% CI 5.0-6.6), pharmacy staff (RR = 5.0, 95% CI 3.7-6.6) and dental staff (RR = 2.8, 95% CI 2.2-3.5). Significant differences were found in age and sharps- handling experience between occupational subgroups (P < 0.001 for both variables). Male employees had higher risk than females (RR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.18-1.50), with a significant difference seen in their sharps-handling experience (P < 0.01). Important risk factors included unsafe practices such as recapping of needles and their improper disposal. The national incidence of NSI amongst Malaysian HCWs was lower compared with other countries, but unsafe practices remain an important concern. There is a need to formulate, implement and monitor safe and consistent practices for the different healthcare professionals.

PMU23 - Economic Burden of Needle-Stick Injury Among Healthcare Workers in China

Needle-stick Injury (NSI), one of the most common occupational injuries among healthcare workers (HCWs) with possible transmissions of life-threatening blood-borne viruses, can potentially result in direct/indirect costs and impair psychological well-being. With large population of HCWs in China, it is necessary to estimate the economic burden of NSI on HCWs. An economic model from societal perspective was developed to estimate the economic burden of NSI among HCWs in China. The following parameters were included: costs of testing source patients, and HCWs; costs of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and HCWs follow-up examinations; and costs of Hepatitis B virus/Hepatitis C Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HBV/HCV/HIV) treatment in the event of a seroconversion. Data defining incidence of NSI, tests after NSI, PEP and follow-up tests were obtained from literature while their unit costs were average prices from public websites in Shanghai, Chengdu, Liaoning, and Beijing in China. Transition probabilities, NSI incidence, prognosis of HBV/HCV/HIV infection and infection treatment costs were obtained from literature and KOL survey. Additionally, indirect costs of productivity loss resulted from NSI incidence and possible seroconversion were retrieved from literature. One-way sensitivity analysis was conducted. Total direct costs of tests after NSI, PEP, follow-up tests and infection treatment was ¥529 per NSI while total indirect costs after NSI and infection was ¥188 per NSI. Considering the population of HCWs in China, the total societal economic burden of NSI was estimated to reach ¥5.93 billion/year. The one-way sensitivity analysis indicated that total cost per NSI ranged from ¥646 to ¥909 per NSI, which corresponds to total societal economic burden ranged from ¥5.33 billion/year to ¥7.52 billion/year. The economic burden of NSI is considerable. With intangible costs unmeasured, this underestimation could make the actual burden even heavier. Hospital-administrators and decision-makers should raise awareness, improve education, and adapt new and safer technologies to reduce NSI.

Incidence of Needlestick Injuries in Oral Surgery Clinic among Dental Students: A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT Introduction Practitioners in the dental field carry an occupational risk of injuries when performing routine procedures and hence the possible contraction of serious infections. Dental college students are considered at a higher risk because they start performing such procedures with no or very little experience. Although needlestick injuries (NSIs) are preventable, they are still a common happening and the main concern is the risk of transfer of more than 20 pathogens. The most serious are hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and patterns of NSIs sustained by undergraduate dental students in Oral Surgery Clinics at College of Dentistry (Jazan University), Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This was a retrospective epidemiological investigation conducted among 230 undergraduate dental students studying at College of Dentistry (Jazan). Fourth, fifth, and sixth year undergraduate dental students and interns working in the Department of Oral Surgery were included. Those who were not willing to participate were excluded from the study. An anonymous questionnaire proforma was prepared including closed- and open-ended questions divided into two parts. Data were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 17.0) statistical software for analysis. Results More than half of the sample size (54.8%) had suffered sharp instruments injury in different anatomical sites, and of these, 67.4% were pricked with gloves on. Only 27% of the students reported to the faculty after being pricked. Most of the participants (55.3%) had a single incidence of injury during the past 1 year and 16.2% were stuck for several times. Fingers (60.7%) were the most commonly affected anatomical site pricked by sharp instruments, followed by the thumb (22.2%), hand (9.6%), and palm (7.4%). Conclusion Infection control teaching and training should be an integral part of the curriculum of all disciplines in health care including medical, dental, and paramedics. How to cite this article Ali FM, Al-Iryani GM, Mdabesh HY, Essa AA, Nammazi AM, Kariri MA, Somaili DMY. Incidence of Needlestick Injuries in Oral Surgery Clinic among Dental Students: A Retrospective Study. World J Dent 2018;9(1):29-33.

Elimination of Lancet-Related Needlestick Injuries Using a Safety-Engineered Lancet: Experience in a Hospital.

BackgroundLancet-related needlestick injuries (NSIs) occur steadily in clinical practices. Safety-engineered devices (SEDs) can systematically reduce NSIs. However, the use of SEDs is not active and no study to guide the implementation of SEDs was known in South Korea. The lancet-related NSIs may be eliminated to zero incidence using a SED lancet with effective sharp injury protection and reuse prevention features.Materials and MethodsWe implemented a SED lancet by replacing a conventional prick lancet in a tertiary hospital in a sequential approach. A spot test of the new SED was conducted for 1 month to check the acceptability in practice and a questionnaire survey was obtained from the healthcare workers (HCWs). A pilot implementation of the SED lancet in 2 wards was made for 1 year. Based on these preliminary interventions, a hospital-wide full implementation of the SED lancet was launched. The incidence of NSIs and cost expenditure before and after the intervention were compared.ResultsThere were 29 cases of conventional prick lancet-related NSIs for 3 years before the full implementation of SED lancet. The proportion of prick lancet-related NSIs among yearly all kinds of NSIs during two years before the pilot study was average 11.7% (22/188). Pre-interventional baseline incidence of all kinds of NSIs was 7.01 per 100 HCW-years. After the full implementation of SED lancet, the lancet-related NSIs became zero in the 2nd year (P = 0.001). The average direct cost of 18,393 US dollars (USD) per year from device and post-exposure medical care before the intervention rose to 20,701 USD in the 2nd year of the intervention. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 210 USD per injury avoided.ConclusionThe implementation of a SED lancet could eliminate the lancet-related NSIs to zero incidence. The cost increase incurred by the use of SED lancet was tolerable.

Self-tapping Intermaxillary Fixation Screw: An Alternative to Arch Bar.

The use of intermaxillary fixation (IMF) in the treatment of faciomaxillary fractures is the key factor for reduction and immobilization. Various techniques of IMF have been described in the past and recently IMF screws have been introduced. This technique has various advantages, including ease of use, less time consumption, less trauma to the surrounding soft tissues, and relatively reduced risk of needle stick injury. This study evaluates the efficacy of IMF screws over arch bar IMF before definitive fixation of facial fractures. This study is a randomized clinical study. Study population consists of 20 patients with mandibu-lar fractures requiring IMF with open reduction and reported to Department of Oral Surgery, Modern Dental College and Research Centre, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India between September 2012 and April 2015. Two groups were formed with 10 patients in each group. In the first group, IMF was achieved using the Erich's arch bar and wires. In the second group, IMF was achieved using self-tapping IMF screw. The patients were assessed for various parameters, such as the time required in minutes for the IMF stability of fixation, postoperative occlusion, postoperative pain, periodontal health, oral hygiene, and incidence of needle stick injury. All the cases had stable IMF in both groups. At the end of 14th day, overall oral hygiene was poor in group I and good in group II, significant statistically (p = 0.031). Iatrogenic injury to tooth was absent in group I and present in 1 case in group II, not significant statistically (p = 0.305). Average time taken for the IMF in group I was 74.9 minutes, with the range of 58 to 88 minutes, and in group II was 16.1 minutes, with the range of 11 to 22 minutes, which is highly significant statistically (p = 0.001). Needle stick injuries were taken as positive if glove perforation was present and these were reported in four cases in group I, whereas in group II, no case had incidence of needle stick injuries, which shows significant statistically (p = 0.025). After this study, we can conclude that IMF self-tapping screw is a proven useful technique of IMF. Intermaxillary fixation is a safe and less time-consuming method but with various shortcomings and complications, which the surgeon must be aware of while providing treatment. Keywords: Erich's arch bar, Intermaxillary fixation, Self-tapping intermaxillary fixation screws.

Needle Stick Injury: A Study Among Interns and Post Graduate Scholars at a Tertiary Level Care Hospital

Introduction: Needle stick injury is an underestimated problem among health care personnel all over the world.More than 20 types of blood borne pathogens especially Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human immune deficiency (HIV) virus can be transmitted through needle stick injuries. Aim of Study: The main aim of our study was to assess awareness regarding needle stick injuries with risk of serious infections and awareness regarding first aid and post exposure prophylaxis. Material & Methods: Data was collected in the form of pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. 100 students participated in the study. The response to questionnaire was analysed and results were obtained. Results: The incidence of needle stick injury among students was found to be 24%.47% of students were not aware of recommended first aid after needle or sharp injury.Regarding Hepatitis B vaccination, 65% were not vaccinated, only 35% were vaccinated. 94% of students had never received any training regarding sharps. Conclusion: This study showed a high rate of needle stick injuries among interns and post graduate students. Still the incidence is on lower side, owing to non-reporting of injuries. The strong predictor for needle stick injury was lack of training and work load. Recapping of needles was found to be the most common reason for needle stick injuries.

Impact of Insulin Delivery Devices on the Incidence of Needlestick Injuries Among Nurses in a Community Hospital, 2007–2016

Impact of Insulin Delivery Devices on the Incidence of Needlestick Injuries Among Nurses in a Community Hospital, 2007–2016

Needle stick injuries in a tertiary eye-care hospital: Incidence, management, outcomes, and recommendations.

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence, management, and outcomes for needle stick injuries (NSIs) in a tertiary eye-care hospital and provide appropriate recommendations for its prevention.Methods:This was a retrospective database review of NSI recorded between 2010 and 2015 at a tertiary eye care center. All staff members who had NSI were managed with standard treatment protocol. The mode, location, health-care workers affected and/or at risk for NSI were analyzed.Results:One hundred and forty NSI were reported between 2010 and 2015, with ophthalmic fellows under training encountering maximum needle pricks (n = 33; 24%), followed by nursing staff (n = 32; 23%), and consultants (n = 30; 21%). Location wise, the highest incidence of NSI was found in the operating room (n = 94; 67%), followed by the laboratory (n = 17; 12%), and patients’ ward (n = 14; 10%). Maximum pricks (n = 10; 20%) occurred while passing sharp instruments, anterior segment surgeons (n = 23; 79%) being affected more than posterior segment surgeons (n = 6; 21%). None of the NSI incidents was attributed to anti-VEGF injections. None of the subjects with NSI had seroconversion to hepatitis B surface antigen, human immunodeficiency virus, or hepatitis C virus in the 5-year study period.Conclusions:NSI is the most commonly encountered in the operating room among training personnel while passing sharp instruments, especially anterior segment surgeons. A proper needle/sharp disposal mechanism, documentation of adverse event, on-going staff training, and prompt prophylactic treatment are essential components of the protocol for NSI management.

Risk Reduction of Needle Stick Injuries Due to Continuous Shift from Unsafe to Safe Instruments at a German University Hospital.

This study assessed protective effects of a continuous introduction of safe instruments in terms of reduction of needle stick injuries. The retrospective study analyzed correlations between the increasing proportion of safe instruments and a reduction of the incidence of needle stick injuries linked to such instruments in a German university hospital over 5 years. Incidents declined about 17.6% from 80.3 incidents per 1000 employees to 66.2, associated with an increase in the proportions of injuries due to instruments without protective mechanisms such as scalpels or hypodermic needles by 12.2%. For injuries due to venipuncture cannulae in various surgical and internal medicine departments, there was a negative association between the proportion of safe instruments and the incidence of injuries. For injection needles, portacath needles, and lancets in selected internal medicine departments, the number of injuries also dropped during this study interval. However, there was no clear-cut association with the percentage of safe instruments. This observational study suggests a correlation between the implementation of use of safe instruments and the reduction of needle stick injuries in a case of a graduated implementation. However, the effects are much less pronounced than in previous interventional studies.

Transitioning to Blunt Suture Needles in Obstetric Operating Rooms

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to identify impact of transition to blunt-tip suture needles in obstetric procedures on incidence of needlestick injuries (NSI) in obstetric residents and attendings. METHODS: All OBGYN residents and attending physicians in a tertiary care hospital were surveyed regarding NSI. Following this, suture needles in obstetric operating rooms were changed to blunt needles. A one-year follow-up survey was then sent. RESULTS: Prior to introduction of blunt needles, 28% of attendings had at least one NSI in previous year. Eight needlesticks were sustained in the year preceding transition to blunt needles versus 1 in the year following transition (P=.05) in attendings. Prior to their introduction, greater than 70% of attendings believed blunt needles would reduce NSI; following introduction, only 29% still felt this to be true, despite the actual reduction in NSI occurrence among attendings (P less than .01 for change). Of the responding residents, 61% had sustained at least 1 NSI in the preceding year in the initial query; 50% sustained at least 1 NSI following the introduction to blunt suture needles. At the 1-year follow-up survey, a total of 10 NSI were recalled, with a reporting rate of 50%. CONCLUSION: The introduction of blunt suture needles was associated with a decrease in total recalled needlestick injuries sustained by residents and attendings. The decrease was most notable among the attending physicians, despite their perception that blunt needles were not safer. Blunt needles are an acceptable alternative to the sharp suture needles and thus should be utilized wherever feasible.

Knowledge and practices of health care workers regarding needle - stick injury in a tribal setting of Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India

Background: Needle Stick Injuries (NSIs) in healthcare settings are a global issue. Percutaneous injuries, caused by needle sticks and other sharps, are a serious concern for all Health Care Workers and pose a significant risk of occupational transmission of blood borne pathogens. The incidence of NSI is considerably higher than current estimates, because of gross under reporting and hence a low injury rate should not be interpreted as a nonexistent problem. The present study was carried out to determine the occurrence of NSI among various categories of HCWs . Methods: The present prospective cross sectional study was carried out at the 400 bedded Government Medical College Hospital, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India during period from November 2015 to August 2016. Out of total (180) study participants, 18 were doctors, 142 nurses and 20 lab technicians from different clinical departments/wards of the hospital. Data was collected by using a predesigned pretested questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire contained information on background characteristics and second part contained the questions regarding knowledge and practices about NSI. Results: Out of 180 HCW, 149 (82.78%) were females and, 31 (17.22%) were males. Majority of the subjects were nurses (78.89%). 92.2% subjects were aware of the Needle Stick Injury (NSI). 85% of the subjects knew that certain diseases can be spread through NSI. Almost all of them were using disposable/auto disabled syringes and needles at the hospital. Re-capping of used needle was practiced by 35.5% subjects. 63.8% subjects gave history of NSI in the last one year. Most chances of getting NSI were found to be while working in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department (29.4%). 68.9% of the study subjects were immunized completely against Hepatitis B . Conclusions: There was gap between the knowledge and use of preventive measures. There is a need to address this gap by organizing on job training, retraining at regular intervals, workshops for HCWs regarding hazards, preventive measures and post-exposure prophylaxis for NSIs. Preventing NSI should be an essential part of any blood borne pathogen prevention strategy in the work place.

Reducing needlestick injuries through safety-engineered devices: results of a Japanese multi-centre study

Quantitative information on the effectiveness of safety-engineered devices (SEDs) is needed to support decisions regarding their implementation. To elucidate the effects of SED use in winged steel needles, intravenous (IV) catheter stylets and suture needles on needlestick injury (NSI) incidence rates in Japan. Japan EPINet survey data and device utilization data for conventional devices and SEDs were collected from 26 participating hospitals between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2014. The NSI incidence rate for every 100,000 devices was calculated according to hospital, year and SED use for winged steel needles, IV catheter stylets and suture needles. Weighted means and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to calculate overall NSI incidence rates. In total, there were 236 NSIs for winged steel needles, 152 NSIs for IV catheter stylets and 180 NSIs for suture needles. The weighted NSI incidence rates per 100,000 devices for SEDs and non-SEDs were as follows: winged steel needles, 2.10 (95% CI 1.66-2.54) and 14.95 (95% CI 2.46-27.43), respectively; IV catheter stylets, 0.95 (95% CI 0.60-1.29) and 6.39 (95% CI 3.56-9.23), respectively; and suture needles, 1.47 (95% CI-1.14-4.09) and 16.50 (95% CI 4.15-28.86), respectively. All devices showed a significant reduction in the NSI incidence rate with SED use (P<0.001 for winged steel needles, P=0.035 for IV catheter stylets and P=0.044 for suture needles). SED use substantially reduces the incidence of NSIs, and is therefore recommended as a means to prevent occupational infections in healthcare workers and improve healthcare safety.

A police education programme to integrate occupational safety and HIV prevention: protocol for a modified stepped-wedge study design with parallel prospective cohorts to assess behavioural outcomes

IntroductionPolicing practices are key drivers of HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID). This paper describes the protocol for the first study to prospectively examine the impact of a police...

Influencing factors for needlestick injuries in student nurses

To investigate the needlestick injuries in student nurses during nine months of in-ternship in our hospital, and reveal the high-risk periods, risk procedures, and influencing factors for needlestick injuries, and explore the prevention approaches. Three hundred and fifty student nurses who interned at our hospital from April to December 2014 and from July 2014 to March 2015 were surveyed using self-de-signed questionnaires. Three hundred and forty questionnaires were recovered and 334 out of them were valid. Data were collected and questionnaires were analyzed. The incidence of needlestick injuries was 60.8%; the incidence of needlestick injuries was substantially higher at the early stage than at the late stage of the internship, and higher in the day shift than in the night shift. Moreover, the incidence of needlestick injuries was the highest during the removal of a syringe or infusion needle, accounting for 24.3% of the total incidence. Some other significant factors for needlestick injuries in student nurses included education level, reports on oc-cupational exposure, constant update of nursing knowledge, regular hematological examination, and relevant training experiences. According to 61.7% of student nurses, clinical operations were affected due to underlying concern about needlestick injuries. More attention should be paid to high incidence of needlestick injuries in student nurses, especially at the early stage of their internship. To reduce the incidence of needlestick injuries, education on occupational protection should be given to student nurses in advance, and the pre-job training should be enhanced.

Application of Six Sigma management method by pediatric nurses on the prevention of needle-stick injuries

Objective To investigate the effect of Six Sigma management application by pediatric nurses on needle-stick injuries. Methods A total of 35 pediatric nurses applied Six Sigma management, utilized brainstorming, cause and effect diagrams, charts Plato and quality management tools during September 2012 to August 2014. The needle-stick injury rates, mastery of theoretical knowledge and professional skills of vein puncture protection operations before and after applied Six Sigma management were compared. Results After applied the Six Sigma management, Sigma level (Z value) of needle-stick injuries increased to 3.86 from 3.49, and needle-stick injuries rate was lower than before (P<0.01). After Six Sigma management, the nurses′ theoretical knowledge of occupational protection, venipuncture skills and examination scored improved significantly (P<0.01). Conclusions Six Sigma management can effectively enhance the protection awareness of needle-stick injuries and reduce the incidence of needle-stick injuries. Key words: Nurses; Hospitals, pediatric; Occupation protection; Needle-stick injuries; Six Sigma management

To improve the incidence of needlestick injuries among healthcare workers in a community hospital

To improve the incidence of needlestick injuries among healthcare workers in a community hospital

A quality improvement initiative to reduce needlestick injuries.

Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust introduced sharp-safe needles in January 2013; these became a part of general practice by April 2013. A service evaluation was undertaken to investigate whether the introduction of sharp-safe needles had reduced the incidence of needlestick injuries. Results showed that 608 percutaneous injuries were sustained during the use and disposal of sharps between April 2010 and March 2014. A total of 122 injuries occurred following the introduction of the new sharp-safe needles (2013-2014), which was a 26% reduction compared with the previous year (2012-2013, n = 165). These results could mean that the sharp-safe needles reduced the rate of injuries. A definitive evaluation of the effectiveness of the sharp-safe needles was not possible given the limited data available since their introduction.