Abstract
Needlestick injury is the most important risk event for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B Virus (HBV) transmission to health-care workers. We examined phlebotomy practices, the frequency of needle stick injuries, the reporting of such injuries and hepatitis B status among interns in St James's Hospital during a six month period. This study took the form of a questionnaire. The response rate was 100%. 72% had at least one needlestick injury during this time period, 23% had injuries from known HIV sero-positive or hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients, less than 5% of all injuries were reported and only 41% of interns were definitely hepatitis B immune. The majority (77%) resheated needles by hand.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 102-104 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Irish Medical Journal |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 1992 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Accidents, Occupational
- Bloodletting
- Hepatitis B/immunology
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/analysis
- Humans
- Immunity
- Internship and Residency
- Ireland
- Needlestick Injuries/epidemiology
- Occupational Diseases/etiology
