DISPOSAL-RELATED SHARPS INJURIES AT A NEW-YORK-CITY TEACHING HOSPITAL

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.