Needle Sticks Injuries among Nursess in Emergency Medical Center in Tehran University of Medical Sciences Hospital (2008-2012)

Accidental needle-stick injuries (NSIs) are a hazard for health-care workers and general public health. Nursing workers are at high risk for occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens via sharp injuries of needle stick. The aim of this study was to determine “needle sticks injuries among health care workers in emergency medical center in Tehran University of Medical Sciences(TUMS) hospital”. (2008-2012). In this descriptive study 358 health care workers worked in emergency wards in Tehran University of Medical Sciences hospitals were followed for needle stick events from 2008 to 2012. Sampling method was census. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire consisted of 32 questions included demographic variables and NSI included the event that leads to needle stick injuries. Content and face validity and also test-retest reliability were measured and data was analyzed by SPSS 16. The study population reported 84 needle stick injuries during the study period. Incidence rate of NSI was 23/46%. In most cases, needles and vein catheter were responsible for injuries. IV access and recapping of needles) were most common action resulted to exposure. Exposed people believed that the most important and basic reason for needle stick injuries was patients crowdedness, shortage of staff and fatigue.80/95% of the nurses who had experienced NSIs in the previous 5-years were reporting all exposure to the NSIs.75/9% of nurses had been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. There werent statistically significant different in demographic variables except working experience. This study suggests that the frequency of NSIs and rate of underreporting among nurses are considerable. It is suggested that, NSI in hospitals should be managed through obtaining an appropriate reporting system, organizing blood and body fluid exposure surveillance system, Standard reporting protocol, education and vaccination against hepatitis B virus.