Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...
Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...
Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...
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Project No. 214 (C-2004/5)Attitudes, exposures <strong>and</strong> practices regarding needlesticks <strong>and</strong> other sharpsinjuries among healthcare workers in emergency department <strong>of</strong> fourgovernmental hospitals in the UAEStudent Authors: Amna Matar Al-Marashda, Asma Abdulla Al-Marzouqi, NooraHamad Al-KuwaitiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. Maja Ganczak, Pr<strong>of</strong>. N. Nagelkerke, Dr. P. Barss, Dr. M.Grivna, Dr. J. Al MutawaAbstract:Objectives To examine factors associated with needlesticks <strong>and</strong> other sharps injuriesamong doctors <strong>and</strong> nurses working in EDs.Methods Four emergency departments <strong>of</strong> the largest governmental hospitals in thecapital <strong>of</strong> UAE were chosen. Data was collected by a cross-sectional descriptive <strong>and</strong>analytic survey. The study population consisted <strong>of</strong> doctors <strong>and</strong> nurses working in EDs.Results Almost 1 in 5 <strong>of</strong> respondents, doctors more frequent (29%) than nurses(15%), p=0.069, reported at least one puncture injury in the preceding year. Thenumbers <strong>of</strong> injuries were independent <strong>of</strong> age (p=0.58), <strong>and</strong> on occupational infectionstraining attendance (p=0.01), but were dependent on the years in practice (p=0.004).In the group with 2-3 years <strong>of</strong> occupational experience, 35% <strong>of</strong> respondents sustainedat least one sharps injury in the preceding year, while in the group with 4 <strong>and</strong> moreyears <strong>of</strong> experience – only 13%. All injured doctors were injured by needle duringsuturing, 59% <strong>of</strong> nurses were injured while using hollow-bore needles. Adherence tost<strong>and</strong>ard precautions was found to be almost optimal among doctors concerningprotective equipment: 97% <strong>of</strong> doctors (vs. 81%) <strong>of</strong> nurses, p=0.13, always usedgloves while performing invasive procedures. Almost all nurses adhered to such safework practices recapping: only 1% <strong>of</strong> them (vs. 22% <strong>of</strong> doctors, p= 0.0001) recappedthe needles before disposal.Conclusions 19% <strong>of</strong> the respondents sustained a needlestick or other sharp injury.Though the percentage is low but it has a considerable risk.The four hospitals were homogenous. The number <strong>of</strong> needlesticks <strong>and</strong> other sharpsinjuries is rather small. Therefore, could not identify hospitals as a risk factor.Every doctor when experienced injury has experienced it with a suturing needle. It isby far the most common injury in this job category, whereas nurses are more likely tosustain hollow-bore needles injury.
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