An examination of needlestick injury rates, hepatitis B vaccination uptake and instruction on 'sharps' technique among medical students.
A 12-question survey designed to examine venepuncture techniques and instruction and uptake of hepatitis B vaccination was completed by 172 of the 275 medical students to whom it was distributed (a response rate of 62.5%). Seventy-five injuries were reported, at an average of 0.3 per student per year. Of the respondents, 63% resheathed needles after use, a practice frequently cited as a cause of needlestick injury. However, in this sample resheathing was not significantly associated with a higher or lower injury rate (chi 2 = 2.07, P > 0.1). Of the respondents from the most recent intake, only 20 out of 57 had completed a course of hepatitis B vaccinations prior to the commencement of venepuncture duties. There was almost universal ignorance concerning the correct course of action following 'sharps' injury. Recommendations are made concerning hepatitis B vaccination and teaching strategies for medical students.
University of Oxford Medical School, John Radcliffe Hospital, UK.
R P
RP
Choudhury
S J
SJ
Cleator
D001815:Bloodletting / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000592:standards*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines