Reporting sharp injuries among Surgeons in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt

Eman Mohamed Mortada

doi:10.12955/emhpj.v8i2.692

Eman Mohamed Mortada Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia governorate

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12955/emhpj.v8i2.692

Keywords: sharp injuries, body fluids, post exposure prophylaxis and reporting.

Abstract

Background and rationale of the study: Although Sharps injuries are a preventable hazard faced by medical personnel in the operating room yet it continues to be one of the hidden problems among HCP. The potential consequence of such injuries includes transmission of blood-borne pathogens with detrimental effects. Despite the advances in technology and increased awareness of medical staff, annually around 600 thousand to one million workers are affected thus considered as one of the most serious threats facing health care workers specially surgeon.

Methodology: a cross sectional study of Zagazig University Hospitals surgical departments. Using a sample composed of 287 surgeons randomly chosen from different surgical departments. A questionnaire assessed in addition to personal and professional characteristics, the history of sharp injuries, types of instrument causing the injury, their post exposure prophylaxis including reporting.

The results: There were total 287 surgeons participated in this study. (47%) of the respondent surgeons had been exposed to at least one episode of sharp injury in the preceding 3 months and most of the exposures (68%) occurred in the operation room. The injury was mainly caused during suturing (83%). The commonest devices, accused in most of the injuries were suturing needle and scalpel (74 and 59%). The majority of the surgeons (62%) didn’t report the SI and it was largely explained by the majority of the sampled respondents (89%) were not aware of the reporting system existing in their hospital.

Conclusions: The most common reason of underreporting in our study was the lack of awareness that all injuries must be reported.

Recommendations: The observed high level of under reporting reflects the need for education on prevention. Our results can guide in planning an education program for the surgeons to increase awareness about dangers of sharp injuries and help improve the reporting strategy and other potential prevention interventions for of sharp injuries.

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