Study of accidental injuries among hospital service staff as a potential hazard for transmission of hepatitis

ABSTRACT

Accidental injuries sustained by hospital service staff constitute a hazard for transmission of hepatitis. A cross sectional survey was conducted to find out the rate of these injuries among hospital staff working in Alexandria university affiliated hospitals and ministry of health hospitals. Out of 397 hospital personnel interviewed, 12.09 percent mentioned that they were injuried during the preceding week. Surgeons and nurses experienced the highest rates of injuries as compared to laboratory staff and physicians. Needle stick injuries were the most common type of injuries. Cut with knife and diathermy burn were less frequent. Most injuries among surgeons occurred during wound closure, more commonly on the left index finger. On the contrary, nurses and laboratory staff, the most common site was the right han as the injury usually occurs during disposal or recapping of the used needle. Management of these injuries was mainly non specific as change of gloves and/or application of antiseptic to the site of injury. It could be concluded that accidental injures among hospital personnel are occurring with worrying regularity and are inadequately managed