Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T01:54:21.342Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Impact of a Rigid, Puncture Resistant Container System Upon Needlestick Injuries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Bruce S. Ribner ,
Martha N. Landry ,
Gail L. Gholson  and
Lisa A. Linden
Bruce S. Ribner*
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
Martha N. Landry
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
Gail L. Gholson
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
Lisa A. Linden
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
*
Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Asheville, NC 28805
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Needlestick injuries in a 720-bed tertiary care hospital were analyzed before and after the introduction of a rigid, puncture resistant, needle disposal system. Following implementation of the system, disposal-related injuries decreased from 0.9 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year to 0.3 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year (p <.005). However, needlesticks associated with procedures (2.2 vs. 4.4 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year, p <.0005), and those resulting from loose needles (0.5 vs. 1.9 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year, p <.0005), increased. Injuries occurring during needle recapping or the carrying of needles were not significantly altered. Total needlestick injuries increased from 6.0 to 8.7 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year (p <.0005).

We concluded that a rigid, puncture resistant, needle disposal system can reduce disposal-related needlestick injuries, but must also be perceived as convenient to impact substantially upon needlesticks associated with other activities.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , February 1987 , pp. 63 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Weinstein, SA: Disposable needle and syringe containers. Infect Control 1985; 6:41–43.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Garner, JS, Simmons, BP: Guidelines for isolation precautions in hospitals. Infect Control 1983; 4(suppl):245–325.Google Scholar
3.Rutala, WA, Sarubbi, FA: Management of infectious waste from hospitals. Infect Control 1983; 4:201–204.Google Scholar
4.McCormick, RD, Maki, DG: Epidemiology of needlestick injuries in hospital personnel. Am J Med 1981; 70:928–932.Google Scholar
5.Jacobson, JT, Burke, JP, Conti, MT: Injuries of hospital employees from needles and sharp objects. Infect Control 1983; 4:100–102.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Postexposure prophylaxis of hepatitis B. MMWR 1984; 33:285–290.Google Scholar
7.Inactivated hepatitis B virus vaccine. MMWR 1982; 31:317–328.Google Scholar
8.Ipsen, J, Feigl, P: Bancroft's Introduction to Biostatistics, ed 2. New York, Harper and Row, 1970.Google Scholar
9.Recommendations for protection against viral hepatitis. MMWR 1985; 34:313–335.Google Scholar
10.Hamory, BH: Underreporting of needle stick injuries in a university hospital. Am J Infect Control 1983; 11:174–177.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed