Introduction: Injuries among healthcare workers (HCW) from needles(NSI) and sharps remain a serious problem due to high risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens (BBP)

Objectives: This study aims at reporting the numbers of NSIs from 2016 to 2018 and the main characteristics of affected HCWs at NNUH

Methods: An-Najah National University hospital(NNUH), a tertiary care hospital located in the north of Palestine, implemented since 2016,a strategy to prevent and surveille NSI among HCWs including the enforcement of evidence based policy, annual training about safety injection, waste management and universal precautions. Incidents are self-reported after what HCWs and the source are screened for BBP and appropriate management (Counseling, education, dose of HBV vaccine or Specific Ig) is applied according to setting policy and in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of health (MoH)who provides the HBV vaccine.In 2018, vacutainers were provided and intensive training and education were applied across the institution.

Results: The total number of NSI reported was 139(29,62 and 48 cases for 2016,2017 and 2018 respectively). 56%(78) were male and 44%(61) were female. The mean age was 26.5years (SD 7.4).All HCWs were VHC and HIV non-reactive. Nurses had the highest percentages 51.1%(71) of NSIs, followed by students 23%(32),doctors 12.2%(17), Cleaners 11.5%(16) and others such as lab technicians 2.2%(3).The most common mode of injury was during blood sampling 32.4% (45), followed by injuries at the moment of needle disposal 20.1%(28) , cleaning or waste disposal 10.8%(15), cannula insertion/removal 9.4%(13), glucose level testing 7.9%(11) and accidentally by other co-worker 4.3%(6).Recapping was the cause in only 2.2%(3). Regarding the management, 70.5%(98) did not need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), 28.1%(39) were referred to MoH to receive a single dose of VHB vaccine and only 1.4%(2) needed the specific Immunoglobulin+ vaccine.PEP for HIV is not available.

Conclusion: HCWs at NNUH are at great risk of contracting blood-borne infections. It is crucial then reinforce both the reporting system and the training program and the provision of PEP and adequate equipment.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared

Title

Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control

Publisher

BioMed Central

Publisher Country

Switzerland

Indexing

Scopus

Impact Factor

None

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

8

Year

2019

Pages

148