Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Hospital Healthcare Workers: An Infection Control Challenge in Saudi Arabia

Abalkhail, Adil; Kabir, Russell; Elmosaad, Yousif Mohammed; Alwashmi, Ameen S. S.; Alhumaydhi, Fahad A.; Alslamah, Thamer; Almoammar, Khalid A.; Alsalamah, Yasir A.; Mahmud, Ilias

doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0058.v1

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

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“…Hand hygiene has been one of the most important factors of infection control in a healthcare setting, according to a crosssectional survey in Saudi Arabia. The hand hygiene knowledge and perception of the HCWs showed that the majority had moderate knowledge (57.8%) with perception (73.4%) of hand hygiene (8). The HCWs who were trained on hand hygiene were more likely to have good/ moderate perceptions than those without training.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Frontline Health Care Workers' (HCWs) perception of barriers to managing COVID-19 in Fiji

Deo

Mohammadnezhad

2022

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundHealth Care Workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection with their efforts while protecting the greater community and also exposed to hazards, such as psychological distress, fatigue, and stigma. This study aimed to explore the perception of frontline HCWs on barriers of managing COVID-19 in Fiji.MethodsA qualitative study method was approached to conduct this study among the HCWs who worked on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic based at ten purposively selected health facilities in the Suva subdivision in the Central Division of Fiji. The Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH), the Fiji Centre for Communicable Diseases (Fiji CDC), Twomey hospital laboratory, and CWMH laboratory did the main control and most of the operations of other divisions were monitored from these settings. A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire was used to collect data using in-depth interviews. The participants' responses were audio-recorded and were later transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsA total of twenty-nine HCWs took part in the in-depth interview and the responses were grouped into four themes, which include: workload, poor communication, lack of resources, and hindrance to education. It was also found through this study that some of the HCWs felt tired, frustrated, got rude to patients, and found it difficult to handle situations, which affected them mentally and physically stressed.ConclusionManaging the COVID-19 cases has been attributed to the presence of many barriers, such as workload, tiredness, frustration, and sometimes difficult-to-handle situations, and the HCWs were indeed affected mentally and physically. Regular training for HCWs and more awareness programs would help the general public to follow the preventive measures, which reduces the cases and would help the HCWs manage COVID-19 well.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Frontline Health Care Workers' (HCWs) perception of barriers to managing COVID-19 in Fiji

Deo

Mohammadnezhad

2022

Front. Public Health

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The Incidence of Clinical Injuries among Undergraduate Dental Students: A Prevention Protocol

Antoniadou,

Chanioti,

Pantelaki

et al. 2024

Hygiene

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Dental students are frequently exposed to percutaneous injuries (PCIs) due to the nature of their clinical work, which involves sharp instruments and close patient contact. The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized the need for stringent biosafety measures and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Despite these precautions, injuries remain prevalent, highlighting the need for comprehensive education and training in biosafety and infection control. This study investigates the incidence and causes of injuries among undergraduate dental students during clinical sessions. This study was conducted at the Department of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on injuries reported from 2021 to 2024. Data were collected through self-reported clinical records. The primary variables assessed included the type of injury, the instrument involved, the clinical procedure performed, and the immediate actions taken post-injury. Serological testing was conducted on students and patients to assess the risk of the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. The findings reveal a high prevalence of injuries, with needles being the most common cause (51.4%), followed by other tools such as dental probes (25.7%) and burs (8.6%). The most frequent injury type is piercing (74.2%), primarily affecting the fingers (88.6%). Periodontal treatments, restorative procedures, and endodontic treatments are the main activities leading to injuries, with 17.1% of injuries being caused by each. No statistically significant results are recorded. Despite regular medical records for most patients treated by injured students, serological testing shows significant positivity rates for HCV and HBV. Notably, most injured students demonstrate their commitment to safety by adhering to recommended post-exposure protocols, including wound cleaning, disinfecting, and serological testing. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 heightened the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and reinforced occupational health standards. Our study highlights the critical need for enhanced biosafety awareness and training among undergraduate dental students to reduce injury risks.

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Biohazard Accidents, Harmful Elements to the Wellness of Healthcare Workers, and Their Risk Factors

Tejada-Pérez

Herrera-Burgos

Carreño

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background. For healthcare personnel, biohazard accidents pose a significant risk to their health. These exposures can enable the transmission of pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Objective. To indicate and quantify the risk associated with higher threatening situations, such as biohazard accidents on repeated occasions or incorrect notifications to injured healthcare professionals. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Poniente Hospital in Almeria (Spain). In total, 592 participants reported 1062 accidents and their characteristics and notifications were analyzed. Results. It was found that women (OR = 1.29) working in the surgical area (OR = 2.92), those on indefinite contracts (OR = 1.67), and those with high work experience (OR = 1.14) were the main risk factors for multiple biohazard accidents. Concerning the incorrect notification of these accidents, the main risk factors were work performance during the afternoon shift (OR = 1.72) and the fact that the accident was caused by the injured worker himself (OR = 1.53). Conclusions. This study outlined the main factors that can contribute to healthcare professionals suffering these accidents. As a result, corrective measures must be taken against these risk factors to improve safety for healthcare workers in the future.

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Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Hospital Healthcare Workers: An Infection Control Challenge in Saudi Arabia

Cited by 5 publications

References 18 publications

Frontline Health Care Workers' (HCWs) perception of barriers to managing COVID-19 in Fiji

Frontline Health Care Workers' (HCWs) perception of barriers to managing COVID-19 in Fiji

The Incidence of Clinical Injuries among Undergraduate Dental Students: A Prevention Protocol

Biohazard Accidents, Harmful Elements to the Wellness of Healthcare Workers, and Their Risk Factors

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