OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Universal Precautions (UP) compliance in the operating room (OR). DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort. Trained observers recorded information about (1) personal protective equipment used by OR staff; (2) eyewear, glove, or gown breaks; (3) the nature of sharps transfers; (4) risk-taking behaviors of the OR staff; and (5) needlestick injuries and other blood and bodyf...

AIM To examine current practices with regard to the safe collection, storage and disposal of sharps waste in acupuncture premises and to determine compliance with the NSW Public Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2000 and the NSW Health Skin Penetration Code of Best Practice. METHODS A random sample of acupuncturists in the City of Sydney local government area was selected and surveyed usin...

Results 57.7% of respondents were aware of the term Standard Precautions (SPs) overall. Doctors (94.4%) and nurses (84.2%) had the highest levels of awareness compared to 3.0% of health assistants. There was a significant relationship between the respondents’ level of education and a correct knowledge of SPs. (Fisher’s Exact= 125.745, df = 4, p = 0.000) and duration of employment was not signif...

BACKGROUND Blood and body fluid exposures place healthcare workers at risk for blood-borne infections. To determine the extent of the problem in Iran, we assessed blood and body fluid exposure in healthcare workers in Fars Province hospitals. METHODS We distributed 2,118 questionnaires using a stratified random sampling method among nurses of these hospitals. We used Chi-square test, Student'...

Results Of the 118 needle stick injuries reported during the surveillance period 47 (40%) were nurses, 25 (21%) were lab technicians, 24 (20%) were doctors, 20 (17%) were housekeeping staff and 2(2%) were other staffs. Hollow bore needle constituted 80.1% (95) of the injuries, solid needles constituted 16.5% (19) of the injuries and other sharps constituted 3.4% (4) of the injuries. On source a...

1. Goniewicz M, Włoszczak-Szubzda A, Niemcewicz M, Witt M, Marciniak-Niemcewicz A, Jarosz MJ. Injuries caused by sharp instruments among healthcare workers-international and Polish perspectives. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2012;19(3):523-7. 2. Saia M, Hofmann F, Sharman J, Abiteboul D, Campins M, Burkowitz J, et al. Needlestick Injuries: Incidence and Cost in the United States, United Kingdom, Germa...

BACKGROUND Injuries from needlestick, sharps injuries and splashes lead to exposure to blood and body fluids with the potential for transmission of blood-borne viruses. AIMS To identify alternative instruments, which if used would improve worker safety. METHODS Retrospective review of 161 injuries with identification of safer alternative products for instruments that caused injury. The prop...