The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank Hospital
Background: The aim of this study was to identify procedures, areas of activity, occupational groups and other variables that carry a high risk of transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to healthcare workers (HCWs) at Witbank Hospital. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional stu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2009-04-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1037 |
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| author | Ryszard Lachowicz Peter A. Mathews |
| author_facet | Ryszard Lachowicz Peter A. Mathews |
| author_sort | Ryszard Lachowicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The aim of this study was to identify procedures, areas of activity, occupational groups and other variables that carry a high risk of transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to healthcare workers (HCWs) at Witbank Hospital.
Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among HCWs of Witbank Hospital who were directly involved in patient care over the two-year period under consideration (1.01.03 – 31.12.04). A directed questionnaire was used to carry out the study.
Results: A total of 435 HCWs completed the questionnaire.
1. A total of 46.7% of respondents had suffered from either needlestick/sharps injury (74.47%) or contamination of skin/mucous membranes (25.53%).
2. A total of 76.9% of all needlestick/sharps injuries were inflicted by injection needles. 3. Taking blood was the most dangerous procedure/activity: it was responsible for 29.56% of all injuries.
4. A total of 44.61% of injured HCWs reported one injury, 45.59% reported two to three injuries and 9,8% were injured more than three times.
5. The youngest interviewed group (20–29 years old) was injured most frequently (61.9%).
6. Professional nurses, who are the largest professional group employed at the hospital, were involved in 41.38% of all reported injuries.
7. House doctors reported the highest rates of injury: 84.37% of them were injured at least once.
Conclusion: This study showed that there is a well-defined pattern of injuries that can lead to transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to HCWs at Witbank Hospital. The areas of activity, procedures and occupational groups that result in a high risk of transmission of bloodborne infections to HCWs were identified, and will be used to design the preventive strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1e6efa8621464aed9beb8716b2045401 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2009-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-1e6efa8621464aed9beb8716b20454012025-08-20T03:47:10ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042009-04-0151210.1080/20786204.2009.108738311047The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank HospitalRyszard Lachowicz0Peter A. Mathews1Department of Family Medicine, University of PretoriaDepartment of Family Medicine, University of PretoriaBackground: The aim of this study was to identify procedures, areas of activity, occupational groups and other variables that carry a high risk of transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to healthcare workers (HCWs) at Witbank Hospital. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among HCWs of Witbank Hospital who were directly involved in patient care over the two-year period under consideration (1.01.03 – 31.12.04). A directed questionnaire was used to carry out the study. Results: A total of 435 HCWs completed the questionnaire. 1. A total of 46.7% of respondents had suffered from either needlestick/sharps injury (74.47%) or contamination of skin/mucous membranes (25.53%). 2. A total of 76.9% of all needlestick/sharps injuries were inflicted by injection needles. 3. Taking blood was the most dangerous procedure/activity: it was responsible for 29.56% of all injuries. 4. A total of 44.61% of injured HCWs reported one injury, 45.59% reported two to three injuries and 9,8% were injured more than three times. 5. The youngest interviewed group (20–29 years old) was injured most frequently (61.9%). 6. Professional nurses, who are the largest professional group employed at the hospital, were involved in 41.38% of all reported injuries. 7. House doctors reported the highest rates of injury: 84.37% of them were injured at least once. Conclusion: This study showed that there is a well-defined pattern of injuries that can lead to transmission of bloodborne infections from patients to HCWs at Witbank Hospital. The areas of activity, procedures and occupational groups that result in a high risk of transmission of bloodborne infections to HCWs were identified, and will be used to design the preventive strategies.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1037health care workerssharps/needlestick injurybloodborne infections |
| spellingShingle | Ryszard Lachowicz Peter A. Mathews The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank Hospital South African Family Practice health care workers sharps/needlestick injury bloodborne infections |
| title | The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank Hospital |
| title_full | The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank Hospital |
| title_fullStr | The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank Hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank Hospital |
| title_short | The pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at Witbank Hospital |
| title_sort | pattern of sharps injury to health care workers at witbank hospital |
| topic | health care workers sharps/needlestick injury bloodborne infections |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1037 |
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