Needlestick injuries during surgical procedures: a multidisciplinary online study

Needlestick injuries are common during surgical procedures. Following such an injury, local protocols should be followed to minimize the risk of infection.

To identify who sustains such injuries, under what circumstances and what actions are taken to minimize the risk and in response to intraoperative needlestick injuries.

A questionnaire was submitted via e-mail to all staff in a National Health Service trust who took part in operations. The results were checked against occupational health department (OHD) records.

One hundred and thirty-six of 255 appropriate responders completed the questionnaire (53%). Fifteen of 31 consultants (48%), 12/36 junior doctors (33%), 0/39 midwives (0%) and 8/30 theatre staff (27%) reported having had at least one intraoperative needlestick injury over the past year. Awareness of local protocols was significantly worse in the junior doctor group. Ninety-three percent of consultants, 67% of junior doctors and 13% of theatre staff did not comply with local protocols. The length of time it takes to do so (48%) and a perceived low infection risk of the patient (78%) were the commonest reasons for this. Hand dominance, role during surgery and double gloving were not significant risk factors; however, rare use of a no-touch technique was. Comparison with OHD records suggested that a maximum of 16% of intraoperative needlestick injuries were dealt with in accordance to local policy.

Non-compliance with needlestick injury protocols is commonest among senior surgical staff. A revision of the protocol to reduce the time it takes to complete it may improve compliance.