Risk of needle stick and sharp object injuries among medical students

Much is known about sharp object and needle stick injuries among employee health care workers, but relatively little attention has been directed to exposures among medical students.

The frequency and mechanisms of needle stick and sharp object injuries were determined retrospectively by surveying students in their fourth year of medical school. Students were questioned about the number of percutaneous injuries that they had sustained during their clinical years. Descriptive information was collected on their most recent injury.

Of 137 students in the class, 106 (77%) responded. Thirty-five (33%) of the students who responded sustained one or more injuries; 24 (69%) were injured while on a surgical service, and 60% of the injuries occurred in an operating room. Suturing was the procedure most frequently associated with injury. In 34% of cases, the injury was caused by a needle or device being used by another person. The most frequent site of injury was the hand (97%). Ninety-four percent of students were wearing gloves at the time of the injury. None of the injuries was associated with recapping needles. Only 43% of students reported their injuries to proper authorities.

Medical students frequently sustain needle stick and sharp object injuries during their clinical training. Concerted efforts are needed to protect them.