Surveillance of needle stick injuries [NSI] and sharp injuries at two centers in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

A base line studies to assess the Needle Stick Injuries [NSI] and sharp injuries and its outcome in health care providers. Descriptive study. Based on collection of relevant data spreading over a period of five years [from 1995-2000] from two tertiary care centers one public and other private. This study was conducted in 1342 healthcare workers [Public sector 612 and private sector 730]. Individuals comprising of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, operation theatre Staff and staff in other department of tertiary care centers. The method involved was proper filling of NSI Protocol form and informing directly concerned department and laboratory investigations for Hepatitis B Virus [HBV], Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] and Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] at both the centers and additional Hepatitis G Virus [HGV] and culture at only one center [Public center]. Total positive cases at public sector hospital were 364 [59.5%] out of 612 and 317 [43.4%] out of 730 at private sector hospital. Out of 612 NSI cases there were 260 [42.5%] HBV, 64 [10.5%] HCV, 03 [0.5%] HGV 01[0.1%], bacterial infection 36[5.9%] and 248[40.5%] negative at public sector hospital. At private sector hospital out of 730 NSI cases there were 272 [37.3%] HBV, 42 [5.7%] HCV, 03 [0.4%] HIV and [413 56.6%] were negative. Data collected was analyzed by statistical tests. NSI is a major healthcare workers problem. It is necessary to deal with it amicably and effectively