Ac. Weltman et al., DISPOSAL-RELATED SHARPS INJURIES AT A NEW-YORK-CITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, Infection control and hospital epidemiology, 16(5), 1995, pp. 268-274
OBJECTIVE: To characterize disposal-related sharps injuries. DESIGN: A
three-part study including (a) descriptive analysis of disposal-relat
ed injuries in a 1-year period, (b) 4:1 matched case-control study of
nurses injured while using sharps disposal containers, and (c) survey
to solicit opinions of users of containers. SETTING: An 1,181-bed teac
hing hospital in New York City. PARTICIPANTS: For epidemiologic analys
es, persons with self-reported injuries identified via New York State
and Occupational Safety and Health Administration forms and control nu
rses without self-reported injuries. For survey, convenience sample of
hospital nurses, laboratory workers, and maintenance workers. MAIN OU
TCOME MEASURES: Circumstances of injuries determined by study question
naires. Employee opinions obtained by questionnaires and discussions d
uring small group sessions. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-one persons r
eported sharps injuries, of whom 72 (20%) had disposal-related injurie
s. Persons with disposal-related injuries included four hospital visit
ors and one patient. Of 67 disposal-related injuries among employees,
25 (37%) directly involved use of a sharps disposal container. Signifi
cant risk factors for injury included container height greater than 4
ft above the floor distance less than 5 ft from site of sharp object u
se to nearest container, and lack of attendance at universal precautio
ns inservice classes. Survey groups involved 69 employees who identifi
ed a variety of preferred features for sharps disposal containers. CON
CLUSIONS: Disposal of sharp objects is an important cause of sharps in
juries. Ergonomic factors, worker education, and appropriate container
design should be considered in injury prevention strategies. Relevant
guidelines and regulations are lacking and are needed.