Prävention von Nadelstichverletzungen im Gesundheitswesen – Teilauswertung eines Online-Analysebogens mit Schwerpunkt auf TOP-Schutzmaßnahmen

Prevention of needlestick injuries in healthcare – Partial evaluation of an online analysis questionnaire with a focus on TOP protection measures Background: The risk of needlestick injuries (NSI) for healthcare workers (HCW) is often dependent on a multitude of factors. After an NSI occurs, the accident should be analysed and the risk reduced through technical, organisational and personal protection measures (TOP). This paper describes the TOP recommendations in relation to HCW. Methodology: HCW whose NSI had been reported to the Statutory Accident Insurance of the Health and Welfare Service (BGW) were asked to fill out an online questionnaire about the accident and TOP recommendations. The analysis of TOP took place separately for each of the three fields of work: hospitals, medical practices and outpatient and inpatient care (= care). Results: As of the analysis date of 1 October 2018, 1,356 records had been assessed. 1,093 cases met the criteria for NSI. 715 respondents had proposed at least one protective measure. These referred most often to changes in the organisation of work across all sectors, such as reducing time pressure (59 % in hospitals, 92 % in medical practices) and more training on the use of safety equipment (54 % in medical practices, 71% in care). The use of safety equipment was the technical protective measure most often mentioned (32 % in medical practices, 55 % in care) followed by disposable containers (approximately 20 %). Double gloves, indicator gloves and gloves for garbage disposal played the biggest role in personal protective measures (approximately 20 % each). Conclusions: The majority of HCW see an ongoing need for optimisation with respect to training and the use of safety equipment. These results support the conclusions reached in other reviews that the risk of NSI can be most effectively reduced through the combined use of safety equipment and training. Keywords: healthcare workers – needlestick injuries – sharps – accident analysis – risk factors – technical, organisational and personal protection measures (TOP) – time pressure and training – safety equipment