Needlestick injuries and hepatitis B immunization in Florida paramedics: a statewide survey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of needlestick injury among paramedics working in Florida during 1987, to describe the circumstances surrounding such injuries, and to assess the hepatitis B vaccination status of this group.


METHODS
Survey of a systematic random sample of paramedics using a self-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
Florida.


METHODS
Paramedics.


RESULTS
A completed questionnaire was returned by 300 of 500 paramedics (60%) who received the mailed questionnaire. Sixty-nine paramedics (23%) reported a total of 110 needlestick injuries. More than one third of injuries occurred in conjunction with recapping needles. Almost 62% of reported injuries could have been prevented had proper needle disposal technique been used. Sixty-two percent of paramedics reported having had at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Sixty-five percent of the unvaccinated paramedics said they would take the hepatitis B vaccine if it was offered free.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of needlestick injuries among paramedics in Florida could be prevented with proper needle disposal. Offering the hepatitis B vaccine at no charge to paramedics in Florida could increase the vaccination rate substantially.
Klontz
K C
KC
Division of Field Services, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia.
Gunn
R A
RA
Caldwell
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines