Needle stick injuries : an evaluation of awareness amongst nurses working in a geriatric setting

Abstract

A NSI occurs when the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle that has come in contact with other body fluids. Most NSI result in nothing else than a clean scare but some of them may end up in serious or a life altering disease or death. It should not be accepted as part and parcel of the job or that it would never happen. All health care workers are at risk since needle stick and sharp injuries are an occupational hazard to health care workers. Nurses are the highest percentage of the health care system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of nurses working in an elderly home setting in relation to NSI and post-exposure prophylaxis and what actions they took after a NSI. A quantitative questionnaire was sent via email to 150 nurses randomly. There was a response rate of 107 nurses (71.33%). This study was aimed at nurses that besides various jobs that they carry out, one of their major job is the handling of sharps. Doctors and carers were not included in this study. This study showed some of the contributing factors for the incidence of NSIs, how accidents have occurred, how the staff was affected psychologically and their knowledge when it comes to health and safety while handling sharps. It was found that there is a gap between knowledge and practice and that ongoing training was needed along with psychological support. Employer and employees should work together to reduce the incidence of needle stick injuries.