PREVENTION OF NEEDLESTICK INJURY BY THE SCOOPING-RESHEATHING METHOD

Background The objective of this study was to determine the effects of teaching the scooping-resheathing method on the incidence of needle-s tick injuries in medical students. Methods Before starting their first clerkship, 81 medical students were given a 15-min lecture on the hig h incidence and dangers of needle-stick injuries and a demonstration o f the scooping-resheathing method. The number of needle-stick injuries that occurred during the 3-month clerkship was compared with the numb er reported by 86 medical students who had completed their first clerk ship 1 year previously and had not been given such instruction. Result s Compared with controls, the study group had a 3.8-fold lower risk of needle-stick injury (95% confidence interval, 2.0-7.4, P < 0.0001) an d a 8.3-fold lower risk of multiple needle-stick injuries (95% confide nce interval, 2.0-35.0 P < 0.001). Those in the study group, who consi stently used the scooping method had a much lower risk of injury than those who did not (1 of 36 [2.8%] vs. 8 of 45 [17.4%], P = 0.039). Con clusions We conclude that a lecture recommending the scooping-resheath ing method is effective in reducing the risk of needle-stick injuries in medical students during their first rotation. Because this is the f irst time that an intewention not requiring change in equipment has be en successful, further studies are warranted to substantiate our findi ngs and for extrapolation to other medical personnel in other cultural settings. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.