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Impact of a Rigid, Puncture Resistant Container System Upon Needlestick Injuries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Bruce S. Ribner ,
Martha N. Landry ,
Gail L. Gholson  and
Lisa A. Linden
Bruce S. Ribner*
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
Martha N. Landry
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
Gail L. Gholson
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
Lisa A. Linden
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Hermann Hospital; Program in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas
*
Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Asheville, NC 28805
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Abstract

Needlestick injuries in a 720-bed tertiary care hospital were analyzed before and after the introduction of a rigid, puncture resistant, needle disposal system. Following implementation of the system, disposal-related injuries decreased from 0.9 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year to 0.3 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year (p <.005). However, needlesticks associated with procedures (2.2 vs. 4.4 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year, p <.0005), and those resulting from loose needles (0.5 vs. 1.9 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year, p <.0005), increased. Injuries occurring during needle recapping or the carrying of needles were not significantly altered. Total needlestick injuries increased from 6.0 to 8.7 per 100 full-time equivalent employees/year (p <.0005).

We concluded that a rigid, puncture resistant, needle disposal system can reduce disposal-related needlestick injuries, but must also be perceived as convenient to impact substantially upon needlesticks associated with other activities.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , February 1987 , pp. 63 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1987

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