Impact of infection control activities on the rate of needle stick injuries at a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan over a period of six years: an observational study

Abstract

BackgroundAccidental exposure to blood and body fluids is frequent among health care workers. They are at high risk of nosocomial transmission of blood borne pathogens due to injuries caused by used sharps. We are reporting impact of surveillance and educational program on the rate of needle stick injuries among health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.MethodsAt Aga Khan University Hospital sharp injuries are reported to infection control office. To reduce these incidents a quality improvement project was inducted in the year 2005. Health care workers were educated; surveillance data from 2002 to 2007 was analyzed and compared with various risk factors.ResultsDuring study period 1382 incidents were reported. Junior doctors sustained highest number of injuries (n = 394; 28.5%) followed by registered nurses (n = 283; 20.4%). Highest number of incidents was reported during blood collection (19%). An increasing trend was observed in the pre intervention years (2002–04). However noticeable fall was noted in the post intervention period that is in year 2006 and 2007. Major decline was noted among nurses (from 13 to 5 NSI/100 FTE/year). By relating and comparing the rates with various activities directly linked with the use of syringes a significant reduction in incidents were found including; hospital admissions (p-value 0.01), surgeries and procedures performed (p = 0.01), specimens collected in the laboratory (p = 0.001) and patients visits in clinics (p = 0.01).ConclusionWe report significant reduction in needle stick injuries especially during post intervention study period. This is being achieved by constant emphasis on improving awareness by regular educational sessions, implemented as a quality improvement project.

Pattern of Sharps Injuries in Ophthalmic Practice

“…• The frequency of the sharps injuries can substantially be reduced by target education to the technicians and the nurses [15,[17][18][19][20]]. …”

Prevalence of needle sticks injury and its associated factors among Health Care Workers in Bahir Dar city Health Centers, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Even though there were methodology and study site differences, our study was in line with Pakistan, Ugandan and Ethiopian studies. A study in Pakistan, and Uganda showed that lack of training was the main factors leading to needle stick injuries, 10,12 working for more than 40hour per week, recapping needles and not using gloves when handling needles were associated factors. 12 A recent study in FHRH also identified suboptimal practices and behaviours that put them at risk to the injury.…”

“…The most common reasons are two handed recapping, and the unsafe collection and disposal of sharps waste. 10 Two millions NSI are reported in health care providers every year.…”

Impact of infection control educational activities on rates and frequencies of percutaneous injuries (PIs) at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia

“…Multiple studies have reported a decline in PI rates after implementing multifaceted approaches, including education [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Other studies have stated that education plays a major role in augmenting knowledge and promoting safe behavior among HCWs [17,[24][25][26][27].…”

“…Other studies have found that education is an essential component of every intervention and can be effective on its own [16][17][18][19][20][21].…”