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Biological hazards in hospitals increase with the presence of needlestick injuries.
Methods
We analyzed all the records of needlestick injuries in the period 2004 to 2010 using the software EPINet (University of Virginia). The following characteristics we included: job characteristics, hospital-site where the event occurred, details of the accident, the object that caused the injury and the injured anatomical part.
Results
There were 181 injured. The mean (SD) [min-max] age was 36 years (8.5) [18-56]; seniority was 10.6 years (7.7) [0.5- 27]. The highest proportion was presented in the following departments: adolescents (31.5%), NICU (25%) and operating room (16%). The first shift had the highest proportion of accidents (71.7%). According to the injury severity, the highest proportion was moderate injuries (64%), followed by had with superficial (21%) and severe (15%). During the injury, 55% did not wear gloves, 41% used a pair of gloves and 5%, two pairs. 49% were in the right hand, 45% left hand. Main occupational categories were: nursing (48%), resident doctors (23.2%), maintenance and cleaning services (16.6%) and staff physicians (6.6%).
Among resident doctors the prevalence was: 31.5%; 13.8%, in nurses; 11.5%, in maintenance and cleaning services and 7% in staff physicians.
Discussion
Resident doctors had the highest rate of needlestick injuries, followed by nurses and maintenance and cleaning services personnel. It is necessary to identify the causes and take preventive measures accordingly; as well, to develop an ongoing surveillance program.