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Incidence and reporting of sharps injuries amongst ENT surgeons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

A Vijendren ,
J Sanchez  and
M Yung
A Vijendren*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Ipswich Hospital, UK
J Sanchez
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Health, Ipswich Hospital, UK
M Yung
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Ipswich Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Ananth Vijendren, 1 Oyster Close, Barnet EN5 2PP, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

Sharps injuries are a common occupational hazard amongst surgeons. Limited work has been conducted on their effects within the ENT community.

Methods:

A literature review was performed and a survey on sharps injuries was distributed to the entire membership of ENT-UK electronically.

Results:

The literature review revealed 3 studies, with 2 of them performed more than 20 years ago. A total of 323 completed questionnaires were returned (24 per cent response rate). Of the respondents, 26.6 per cent reported having experienced sharps injuries. There was no statistical difference between the occurrence of sharps injuries and the grade, length of time spent in the specialty or subspecialty of respondents. Only 33.7 per cent of afflicted clinicians reported all their injuries as per local institutional policies. No seroconversions were reported.

Conclusion:

The study found poor evidence on sharps injuries amongst ENT surgeons, and low reporting rates that were comparable to other studies conducted in the UK. This highlights the need for further research and increasing awareness on sharps injuries regulations within the specialty.

Keywords

Sharps InjuriesNeedle-Stick InjuriesOtorhinolaryngologyBlood-Borne Pathogens
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 130 , Issue 6 , June 2016 , pp. 581 - 586
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2016 

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