Sharps injury reporting amongst surgeons.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of sharps injury reporting amongst surgeons.


METHODS
A total of 164 surgeons completed a questionnaire on the reporting of sharps injuries, on the reasons for not reporting and their practise of universal precautions.


RESULTS
Out of 164 surgeons, only 25.8% had reported all their injuries, 22.5% had reported some and 51.7% had reported none. The top three reasons for not reporting their injuries included perception of low risk of transmission, not being concerned and no time. Of the respondents, 15.9% practised all three universal precautions of double-gloving, face shields and hands-free technique.


CONCLUSIONS
We showed that despite local trust adherence to Department of Health policy, sharps injury reporting rates are inadequate. Further investment into healthcare worker education as well as a facilitation of the process of reporting may be necessary to improve reporting rates.
Kerr
Hui-Ling
HL
Department of Orthopaedics, King's Mill Hospital, Nottinghamshire, UK. hui.kerr@gmail.com
Stewart
Nicola
N
Pace
Alistair
A
Elsayed
Sherief
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D013502:General Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom