Experiences with Sharps and Needlestick Injuries in the Healthcare Workers Working in A State Hospital and Knowledge, Attitude, Precautions They Took When Injuring

摘要

ABSTRACT Healthcare workers are at risk of infection because they are in contact with patients and a variety of materials that may be infected by patients. Needle-stick and sharp objects injuries can cause the transmission of blood-borne diseases. This study describes the research regarding injuries by needlestick and sharp objects and the precautions to be undertaken in the event of such injuries. The study was conducted at the Institution of Public Hospitals Province of Tokat Association of Public Hospitals General Secretary, Tokat Public Hospital. The study aims to enhance occupational safety and other safey programs. From July to October 2015, 550 healthcare workers were personally interviewed. These volunteers answered 29 questions from the survey form. The survey responses were analyzed. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS 16. The group was 59.6% female, 44.4% were nurses. When the needle-stick and sharp injury properties of the research group were evaluated, 20.72% had experienced an injury in the last year, 31.09% were at some point during their profession. Moreover, 88.54% of the volunteers answered that they had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. We found that most of the workers had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Moreover, although there were a large number of injuries, a very small number of these cases were reported. It is probable that the use of safe medical tools and periodic educational programs that teach precautionary measures can reduce the number of injuries.