Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers
Catherine E Cooke,1 Jennifer M Stephens2 1Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, 2Pharmerit International, Bethesda, MD, USA Introduction: Needlestick injuries (NSIs) from a contaminated needle put healthcare workers (HCW...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2017-09-01
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| Series: | Medical Devices: Evidence and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/clinical-economic-and-humanistic-burden-of-needlestick-injuries-in-hea-peer-reviewed-article-MDER |
| _version_ | 1818839442620678144 |
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| author | Cooke CE Stephens JM |
| author_facet | Cooke CE Stephens JM |
| author_sort | Cooke CE |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Catherine E Cooke,1 Jennifer M Stephens2 1Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, 2Pharmerit International, Bethesda, MD, USA Introduction: Needlestick injuries (NSIs) from a contaminated needle put healthcare workers (HCWs) at risk of becoming infected with a blood-borne virus and suffering serious short- and long-term medical consequences. Hypodermic injections using disposable syringes and needles are the most frequent cause of NSIs. Objective: To perform a systematic literature review on NSI and active safety-engineered devices for hypodermic injection. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases were searched for studies that evaluated the clinical, economic, or humanistic outcomes of NSI or active safety-engineered devices. Results: NSIs have been reported by 14.9%–69.4% of HCWs with the wide range due to differences in countries, settings, and methodologies used to determine rates. Exposure to contaminated sharps is responsible for 37%–39% of the worldwide cases of hepatitis B and C infections in HCWs. HCWs may experience serious emotional effects and mental health disorders after a NSI, resulting in work loss and post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2015 International US$ (IntUS$), the average cost of a NSI was IntUS$747 (range IntUS$199–1,691). Hypodermic injections, the most frequent cause of NSI, are responsible for 32%–36% of NSIs. The use of safety devices that cover the needle-tip after hypodermic injection lowers the risk of NSI per HCW by 43.4%–100% compared to conventional devices. The economic value of converting to safety injective devices shows net savings, favorable budget impact, and overall cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: The clinical, economic, and humanistic burden is substantial for HCWs who experience a NSI. Safety-engineered devices for hypodermic injection demonstrate value by reducing NSI risk, and the associated direct and indirect costs, psychological stress on HCWs, and occupational blood-borne viral infection risk. Keywords: injections, occupational injuries, blood-borne pathogens, healthcare personnel safety, safety-engineered devices |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T03:54:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f4168c7ea0424117b26330ef36da4d35 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1470 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T03:54:22Z |
| publishDate | 2017-09-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medical Devices: Evidence and Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-f4168c7ea0424117b26330ef36da4d352022-12-21T20:36:52ZengDove Medical PressMedical Devices: Evidence and Research1179-14702017-09-01Volume 1022523534956Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workersCooke CEStephens JMCatherine E Cooke,1 Jennifer M Stephens2 1Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, 2Pharmerit International, Bethesda, MD, USA Introduction: Needlestick injuries (NSIs) from a contaminated needle put healthcare workers (HCWs) at risk of becoming infected with a blood-borne virus and suffering serious short- and long-term medical consequences. Hypodermic injections using disposable syringes and needles are the most frequent cause of NSIs. Objective: To perform a systematic literature review on NSI and active safety-engineered devices for hypodermic injection. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases were searched for studies that evaluated the clinical, economic, or humanistic outcomes of NSI or active safety-engineered devices. Results: NSIs have been reported by 14.9%–69.4% of HCWs with the wide range due to differences in countries, settings, and methodologies used to determine rates. Exposure to contaminated sharps is responsible for 37%–39% of the worldwide cases of hepatitis B and C infections in HCWs. HCWs may experience serious emotional effects and mental health disorders after a NSI, resulting in work loss and post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2015 International US$ (IntUS$), the average cost of a NSI was IntUS$747 (range IntUS$199–1,691). Hypodermic injections, the most frequent cause of NSI, are responsible for 32%–36% of NSIs. The use of safety devices that cover the needle-tip after hypodermic injection lowers the risk of NSI per HCW by 43.4%–100% compared to conventional devices. The economic value of converting to safety injective devices shows net savings, favorable budget impact, and overall cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: The clinical, economic, and humanistic burden is substantial for HCWs who experience a NSI. Safety-engineered devices for hypodermic injection demonstrate value by reducing NSI risk, and the associated direct and indirect costs, psychological stress on HCWs, and occupational blood-borne viral infection risk. Keywords: injections, occupational injuries, blood-borne pathogens, healthcare personnel safety, safety-engineered deviceshttps://www.dovepress.com/clinical-economic-and-humanistic-burden-of-needlestick-injuries-in-hea-peer-reviewed-article-MDERNeedlestick injuryBloodborne pathogensHealthcare personnel safetySafety-engineered devices |
| spellingShingle | Cooke CE Stephens JM Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers Medical Devices: Evidence and Research Needlestick injury Bloodborne pathogens Healthcare personnel safety Safety-engineered devices |
| title | Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers |
| title_full | Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers |
| title_fullStr | Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers |
| title_short | Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers |
| title_sort | clinical economic and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers |
| topic | Needlestick injury Bloodborne pathogens Healthcare personnel safety Safety-engineered devices |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/clinical-economic-and-humanistic-burden-of-needlestick-injuries-in-hea-peer-reviewed-article-MDER |
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