Author/Authors :
Mehrdad, Ramin Department of Occupational Disease - School of Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Meshki, Mansooreh Department of Occupational Medicine - Center for Research on Occupational Diseases - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Pouryagub, Gholamreza Department of Occupational Disease - School of Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: One of the serious occupational concerns in health care workers (HCWs) is exposure to blood/body fluids that can transmit blood borne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C viruses. We are reporting the effects of training course and surveillance on the rate of needle stick injuries
(NSIs) among HCWs at an educational hospital in Iran. Aims: To evaluate the effects of training course on the rate of NSIs and its reporting.
Methods: We selected two hospitals (A&B) based on their similarities in wards and facilities then asked the managers of these two hospitals to participate in our study. We established a new occupational health center and conducted a training course at hospital A on 2010 and compared it with control group (hospital B).
The data from 2009 to 2011 was collected, analyzed to compare pre and post intervention rates.
Results: During study period nurses sustained the highest number of injuries (hospital A: n=80; 66.1% and hospital B: n=64; 35.4%). The incidence rate of NSIs in hospital A was 7.16 NSI/100FTE/ YEAR before the intervention which was increased to 12.06 after the intervention. In hospital B this rate was 6.05 during three years.
Conclusions: The study revealed remarkable increase in the incidence rate of NSIs after the intervention. This is being achieved by meticulous surveillance, training course and improving awareness.
