Safe injection practices in a primary health care setting in Oman.
We conducted a national survey of injection practices in 78 government health facilities in Oman in 2001. Data were obtained by interview and observation. The overall standards were good and the stock of disposable equipment was adequate. Recapping of needles was only observed in 1 facility but in 28%, waste disposal boxes contained recapped needles and 17.9% reported needle-stick injuries in the past year. In 9% of the institutions, sharps were observed around the facility, in 12.8% unsupervised disposal containers were seen and in 11.5% unsafe storage of full boxes was observed. While disposal of the used waste was done away from the health facility, only 33.3% disposed of it by correct incineration.
Al Awaidy
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Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance & Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman. awadymoh@omantel.net.om
Bawikar
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Duclos
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P
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D016272:Occupational Health; D009850:Oman; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017744:Medical Waste Disposal