title: Needle-stick injuries in the National Health Service: a culture of silence.
abstract: Injury by contaminated sharp instruments and needles constitutes a major occupational hazard for healthcare workers. In a confidential survey at a district general hospital, 300 healthcare professionals were asked about their personal experience of needle-stick injury and their attitudes to reporting. 279 individuals responded, of whom 38% had experienced at least one needle-stick (mean 1.8) in the past year and 74% had sustained such an injury during their careers (mean 3.0). Although 80% of respondents were aware that such incidents should be notified, only 51% of those affected had reported all needle-stick injuries. Doctors were less likely to report than nurses, despite a higher liability to injury. This survey adds to evidence of a culture of silence pertaining to needle-stick injuries. The consequent risks to health, and the ethical and financial implications, remain uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elmiyeh
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: C A A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chahal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galea
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alshafi
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D012308:Risk Management / Q000592:standards; D013222:State Medicine; D014342:Truth Disclosure