O39 – A Systematic Approach to Preventing Sharps Injuries in the Operative Care Line at an Urban Tertiary Care Center
Author(s):
Background: Percutaneous sharps injuries pose a significant occupational hazard for surgical personnel. Exposure to blood-borne pathogens from injuries can threaten a practitioner’s health, livelihood, and career, and often results in emotional distress. Despite well-documented consequences and increased awareness, an estimated 600K to 800K injuries occur per year in the US. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency, location, and contributing factors in sharps injuries in order to identify operational barriers and areas for improvement in the handling process.
Hypothesis: Systematic analysis of the frequency, location, and personnel affected by sharps injuries can identify opportunities to implement interactive safe handling techniques and ongoing education to more effectively reduce injuries.
Methods: A retrospective review of data from October 2009 to July 2012 was conducted identifying service lines and personnel most often affected by sharps injuries. The following interactive safe handling techniques were implemented from August 2012 to September 2013: creation of a safe zone in the operative field to allow use of hands-free technique for transfer of sharps, use of ‘Call and Response’ system when passing sharp instruments, and utilization of monthly training and education for residents and students.
Results: Upon initial review, 184 sharps injuries were reported for all service lines. Eighty-two (44%) sharps injuries were reported within the Operative Care Line (OCL) alone. Residents reported 68 (37%) injuries, the largest number among all groups. Sharps injury data for August 2012 to September 2013 were then analyzed after implementation of interactive safe handling techniques and sharps injury education. During this period sharps injuries significantly decreased for the OCL (Fig 1). Percent decreases for MD staff, residents, and students were 40%, 63%, and 42%, respectively.
Conclusions: Interactive safe handling techniques and ongoing sharps education have a positive impact in reducing sharps injuries.