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Barriers to the reporting and management of needlestick injuries among surgeons

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Abstract

Objective

Needlestick injuries are common within surgical practice and carry the risk of transmission of blood borne viruses. Key to reducing this risk is an accessible system of reporting and involvement of occupational health services. We aimed to identify surgeons’ attitude and experience dealing with such injuries and identify why in many cases needlestick injuries go unreported.

Methods

70 questionnaires were hand delivered to surgeons and trainees across 3 UK hospitals and a variety of surgical specialties. The number of injuries and reporting practice was identified. Surgeons were asked to identify from a list the reasons why they did not report their injuries and record importance on a 5-point scale (0–4).

Results

52 surgeons and trainees replied (75%). 42 (81%) had suffered at least 1 needlestick injury with 4 (8%) reporting more than 20. 8 (19%) had reported all their injuries to occupational health with no significant difference in reporting between consultants and trainees (P = 0.2). 12 (23%) felt that reporting of injuries helped to reduce transmission rates. 18 (35%) said that a needlestick had caused them moderate or significant anxiety. The top reasons for not reporting were (0–4). (1) Process too time consuming (2.7), (2) transmission risk very low (2.6), (3) do not want to disrupt operating list (2.0), (4) post exposure prophylaxis ineffective (1.3).

Conclusions

Most surgeons and trainees do not report all their needlestick injuries to occupational health despite many reporting injury related anxiety. The process is felt to take too long and the perceived risk of viral transmission is low.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    R. Kennedy

  2. Department of ENT Surgery, Craigavon Area Hospital, Portadown, Northern Ireland

    S. Kelly

  3. Department of Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Leeds, UK

    S. Gonsalves

  4. Department of Surgery, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, UK

    P. A. Mc Cann

  5. 24 Ormonde Park, Belfast, BT10 0LS, Northern Ireland

    R. Kennedy

Authors
  1. R. Kennedy
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  2. S. Kelly
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  3. S. Gonsalves
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  4. P. A. Mc Cann
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Kennedy.

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Kennedy, R., Kelly, S., Gonsalves, S. et al. Barriers to the reporting and management of needlestick injuries among surgeons. Ir J Med Sci 178, 297–299 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0359-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0359-8

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