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Adelaide Research and Scholarship
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Schools and Disciplines
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School of Population Health & Clinical Practice
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Public Health
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Public Health Publications
Permanent link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2440/52095
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| Type: | Article |
| Title: | Sharps injury and body fluid exposure among healthcare workers in an Australian tertiary hospital |
| Author: | Bi, Peng
Tully, Phillip J.
Boss, K
Hiller, Janet E. |
| Citation: | Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 2008; 20(2):139-147 |
| Publisher: | Sage |
| Issue Date: | 2008 |
| ISSN: | 1010-5395 |
| School/Discipline: | School of Population Health and Clinical Practice : Public Health |
Statement of
Responsibility: | Peng Bi, Phillip J. Tully, Karen Boss and Janet E. Hiller |
| Abstract: | To examine sharps injury and body fluid exposure among health care workers, a descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in a 1000-bed tertiary hospital between 2000 and 2003 using
surveillance data of all reported sharps injuries and body fluid exposures. A total of 640 sharps injuries and body fluid exposures were reported from hospital and nonhospital staff, although no seroconversions to HIV, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus were observed during the study period. Nurses reported 47% of sharps injuries and 68% of body fluid exposures, medical staff reported 38% and 16%, and other nonmedical staff notified 5% and 4%, respectively, while nonhospital staff reported the rest. Hollow-bore needles accounted for 56% of sharps injuries, while 11% of the incidents were sustained during recapping and inappropriate disposal. Further
research into Australian work practices, disposal systems, education strategies, and the use of safety sharps should be emphasized to implement strategies to reduce work-related injuries among health care workers. |
| Keywords: | sharps injury; body fluid exposure; health care workers; Australia |
| RMID: | 0020083914 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1010539507312235 |
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| Appears in Collections: | Public Health Publications
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| View citing articles in: | Google Scholar
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