Reporting of occupational exposures to sharp injuries among Jordanian healthcare workers
Moayad A. Wahsheh A C , Zeinab M. Hassan B and Maysoun H. Atoum B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
B School of Nursing, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
C Corresponding author. Email: moayadw@hotmail.com
Healthcare Infection 16(2) 71-77 https://doi.org/10.1071/HI10024
Submitted: 13 August 2010 Accepted: 4 December 2010 Published: 23 June 2011
Abstract
Objectives: (a) To determine the reporting rate of sharps injuries over the last 12 months; (b) to examine the relationships between specific variables and reporting rate of sharps injuries; and (c) to identify the reasons for failure to follow the guidleines for reporting of sharps injuries.
Method: A cross-sectional study of healthcare workers working in public and private hospitals was undertaken using a survey that was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Results: Two thousand surveys were distributed to healthcare workers who were working in private and public hospitals. One thousand and sixty-eight healthcare workers filled out the surveys. The highest reporting rates were found among the following subgroups: female (34%); years of experience less than 2 years (51%); dentists (57%); worked in laboratory (48%) followed by operation room (36%); and worked between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (50%). Respondents’ experiences with the health service post-exposure were the following: care was not given in a timely manner; their questions and screenings were not answered; and place where care was given was not good.
Conclusion: Reporting of occupational exposures to sharps injuries is a significant dilemma facing Jordanian healthcare workers. Procedures for reporting sharps injuries must be available and clear to all healthcare workers.
Key words: reporting, sharp injuries, Jordan, healthcare workers.
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