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LB 4 Sharp Injuries among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Baseline Survey in 69 hospitals in Shanghai

Sunday, April 3, 2011
Trinity Ballroom (Hilton Anatole)
Xiaodong Gao, Bachelor , Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Bijie Hu, MD, PhD , Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Background:  In light of paramount importance of prevention and control of occupational exposure to biological and toxical wastes among healthcare workers (HCWs), professionals in China began to monitor incidence of exposures and develop corresponding prevention strategies.

Objective: To evaluate  incidence and risk factors for sharp injuries among HCWs in Shanghai, P.R.China.

Methods:  A survey designed to investigate sharp injuries (ampoules break excluded) was distributed between January and December 2010 to all HCWs in 69 hospitals in Shanghai. Information including daily bed-occupancy and sharp utilization records were collected through a web-based Healthcare Worker Bloodborn Pathogen Exposure Surveillance System.

Results: Of 54,855 HCWs that returned the questionnaire, 84.8% had training on preventing sharp injuries. Nonetheless, 13.9% of these HCWs reported ≥ 1 incident of sharp injury during the 12 months. The annual incidence rate of sharp injuries was 0.45 times per capita or 1.63 cases per 1000 occupied beds. Sources of exposure were identified for 36.5% of injuriess . Only 3.6% of the incidents were reported to hospital’s Occupational Health office. Patient room (41.98%) was the most frequently reported location where an incident occurred and was followed by operation room (21.40%) and rehydration room (8.07%). Needle related injuries accounted for 67.23% of all reported incidents, and occurred commonly during recapping (17.35%), configuring fluid (17.25%), surgical suturing (14.48%), and medical waste disposal (17.15%). Scalp needles, disposable syringes and surgical needles accounted for the 75.12% of devices causing injuries.

Conclusions: This survey revealed that incidence of sharp injuries in Shanghai HCWs was significantly higher than that of Europe countries and United States. It is prudent to provide advanced training to HCWs, promote the use of safe needles, and implement safe sharp disposal system to prevent injuries and to improve health of HCWs.