The need for continuous education in the prevention of needlestick injuries
Willem Fourie
Dean, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Manukau Institute of Technology, Manukau, New Zealand
Johannes Keogh
Department of Nursing and Health Studies, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany
PP: 194 - 205
Abstract
Needlestick injuries (NSI) have been a concern for health professionals due to the risk of contracting blood borne diseases. Despite all attempts to minimise harm, injuries still occur as needles and syringes are still commonly used in health care settings.
In a recent publication the authors mentioned the possibility that in Europe up to 1.2 million NSI happen per year (Berufgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtpfl ege [The Mutual Indemnity Association for Health Services and Social Care], 2010). These could lead to infections such as Hepatitis or Aids. In order to prevent or minimize the risk of infection, many safety devices have been invented. Making the usage of needles safer can range from policies and procedures, to devices that physically destroy the needles. Some of the more recent inventions include, for instance, retractable needles.
A recent poll by the Royal College of Nurses (RCN, November 2008) reveals that 96% of nurses in the UK use needles in their daily practice and 48% have been injured by a needle or sharp. This suggests, amongst other, that employer policies on NSI are inadequate. As a result the RCN is calling for safer needle devices to become mandatory (Snow, 2008). In March 2010, the European Council published guidelines (2010/32/EU) to prevent NSI, as well as injuries using sharps (Berufgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtpfl ege, 2010).
Keywords
needlestick injuries; practice nurses; continuous education; prevention
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