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Needlestick injuries: causes, preventability and psychological impact

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Abstract

Needlestick injuries (NSI) pose a significant health hazard among healthcare personnel (HCP). The aim of our prospective observational study was to evaluate the psychological impact of NSI and assess measures to prevent NSI. The target group was the medical staff and students of Frankfurt University Hospital who had experienced a NSI (n = 370) during the 12-month study period. Data were retrieved from accident insurance reports, occupational follow-up examinations and a standardized anonymous questionnaire sent to the affected HCP. Analysis of the completed questionnaires (232/370) revealed that stress (48.3 %) and tiredness (36.6 %) were common factors contributing to the NSI and that >80 % of the respondents were concerned about the consequences of the NSI. Higher levels of anxiety were reported when the patient was known to have a chronic virus infection. Stressful working conditions, lack of adequate protective medical/technical equipment and poor work routines were suggested as factors contributing to NSI.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they no conflict of interest related to this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Occupational Health Service, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    S. Wicker & L. von Gierke

  2. Centrum for Integrative Psychiatry, ZIP Niemannsweg 147, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    A. V. Stirn

  3. Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    H. F. Rabenau

  4. Department of Trauma, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    S. Wutzler

  5. Department of Medicine II, Infectiology, HIV Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    C. Stephan

Authors
  1. S. Wicker
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  2. A. V. Stirn
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  3. H. F. Rabenau
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  4. L. von Gierke
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  5. S. Wutzler
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  6. C. Stephan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Stephan.

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Wicker, S., Stirn, A.V., Rabenau, H.F. et al. Needlestick injuries: causes, preventability and psychological impact. Infection 42, 549–552 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-014-0598-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-014-0598-0

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