Estimating the national cost burden of in-hospital needlestick injuries among healthcare workers in Japan

Abstract

BackgroundNeedlestick injury (NSI) is one of the most burdensome professional hazards in any medical setting; it can lead to transmission of fatal infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus. In the United States, the annual cost burden was estimated as somewhere between $118 million to $591 million; in the United Kingdom it is approximated to be £500,000 (US$919,117.65) per the National Health Service.MethodThis is the first published paper on the national cost burden of NSIs in Japan. A systematic literature review was conducted to review previous study design in global studies and to extract parameter values from Japanese studies. We conducted abstract searches through PubMed and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society (Ichushi), together with grey literature and snowball searches. A simple economic model was developed to calculate cost burden of NSIs from a societal perspective over a one-year time horizon. We assumed all NSIs are reported and perfect adherence in post NSI management that presented in the labour compensation scheme. Local guidelines were also referenced to extract resource utilization. Lastly, a deterministic sensitivity analysis was conducted and a scenario analysis which considered a payer perspective was also included.Result and conclusionThe national cost burden of in-hospital NSIs is estimated as ¥33.4 billion (US$302 million) annually, based on an average cost per NSI of ¥63,711 (US$577) and number of NSIs at 525,000/year. 70% of the cost is due to initial laboratory tests, followed by productivity loss, estimated at 20% of the total cost. Cost of contaminated NSIs remains at 5% of the total cost. Change in number of NSIs significantly influences outcomes. Variation in post-exposure management practices suggests a need for NSI specific National guidelines and holistic labour compensation scheme development in Japan.

Epidemiology and risk factors of needlestick injuries among healthcare workers in Iran: a systematic reviews and meta-analysis

“…According to the World Health Organization, about 3 million out of the 35 million healthcare workers are exposed to NSI each year [ 8 ]. The annual economic burden of NSI was estimated to be $302 million in Japan [ 9 ]. The annual incidence of NSI was estimated at 20.5 per 1000 nurses and 16 per 1000 physicians in Poland.…”

Characteristics of needlestick and sharps injuries of the hands in the operating room among orthopedic surgeons in Japan

“…NSIs cause great mental distress, regardless of the presence or absence of contamination, and associations between NSIs and depressive symptoms 1) and posttraumatic stress 2) have been reported. Furthermore, the average cost for each NSI is approximately ¥63,711 for medical institutions 3) , and prevention is essential to reduce such costs.…”

Pharmacy Infection Control: Staff Immunization and Occupational Infections

“…[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] The clinical and economic burden of needlestick/ sharp injuries at healthcare organizations was another concerning healthcare worker vaccinations. [25][26] Studies on pharmacy staff immunization and pharmacy infection control occupational safety are hard to find. [21][22][23]27 However, most investigations have discussed general pharmacy occupational safety.…”