Needlestick injuries to the feet of Japanese healthcare workers: a culture-specific exposure risk.
A comparison of needlestick injury surveillance data from Japan and the United States revealed a higher proportion of foot injuries to Japanese healthcare workers (HCWs), compared with US HCWs. This study investigates the underlying factors that contribute to this difference and proposes evidence-based prevention strategies to address the risk, including the use of safety-engineered needle devices, point-of-use disposal containers for sharp instruments and devices, and closed-toe footwear.
Yoshikawa
Toru
T
Research Group for Occupational Infection Control and Prevention in Japan, Institute for Science of Labour, Kawasaki, Japan.
Kidouchi
Kiyoshi
K
Kimura
Satoshi
S
Okubo
Takashi
T
Perry
Jane
J
Jagger
Janine
J
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012775:Shoes; D014481:United States