Abstract

Objective: The use of medical sharp objects in hospitals can cause injury to health care workers, and this injury poses a risk to them because of pathogens transmitted by blood and body fluids. The aim of this study is to evaluate the twelve years of data in a tertiary-care eye hospital and to review the measures to be taken.

Methods: Between January 2006 and April 2018, sharp object injuries in Prof. Dr. N. Reşat Belger Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital were evaluated retrospectively. Data were collected from records of the hospital infection control committee.

Results: A total of 87 health care workers 70 (80.5%) of whom were female and 17 (19.5%) of whom were male were included in our study. Health care workers at the highest risk were the nurses (39.1%), followed by cleaning staff (33.3%) and doctors (17.2%). The most common causes of injury were insulin needle (26.4%) and surgical suture needle (19.5%). Injuries occurred mostly in the operating room (37.9%), followed by wards (19.5%) and outpatient clinic (19.5%). The injuries occurred mostly during the operation (24.1%), while opening a vascular line (14.9%), and exposure to inappropriately discarded biohazardous material (18.4%). 73.5% of the health care workers were using protective equipment. Most of the health care workers were followed for six months (97.7%) and were given one-on-one training (87.4%). No seroconversion was detected in any of the injured health care workers. The majority of health care workers with a risky exposure were immunized against hepatitis B.

Conclusions: Since our hospital is a surgical branch hospital, most of the health care workers were injured in the operating room. Exposure to inappropriately discarded biohazardous material was an important cause of injury. Due importance should be given to in-service education and vaccination to reduce the risk of injury and transmission. Klimik Dergisi 2019; 32(1): 8-12.

Cite this article as: Satılmış Ö, Şahin MN. [Sharps injuries in a tertiary care-eye hospital between 2006 and 2018]. Klimik Derg. 2019; 32(1): 8-12. Turkish.