Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Published on: July 9, 2014
Community-acquired needle stick injuries in Canadian children: Review of Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and
R Slinger1, S G Mackenzie, M Tepper
1Divisions of Bloodborne Pathogens.
Insights
Community-acquired needle stick injuries (CANSIs) in children are often caused by discarded needles in public spaces. Education on needle avoidance and ensuring safe environments are key to preventing these injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Public Health Surveillance
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Community-acquired needle stick injuries (CANSIs) represent a significant public health concern, particularly among children.
- Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors associated with CANSIs is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review community-acquired needle stick injuries (CANSIs) in children.
- To analyze data from a Canadian emergency room-based injury surveillance program.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) network data from 1991 to 1996.
- Inclusion of nonoccupational injuries involving used needles in patients younger than 20 years.
- Chart review for prophylactic interventions and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 116 pediatric CANSIs were analyzed; most injured were males (74%) with a median age of 6.6 years.
- Injuries frequently occurred after children picked up needles (77%), often discarded by injection drug users (78%), with parks being the most common site (21%).
- Prophylactic treatment, including Hepatitis B immune globulin and vaccine, was administered to a majority of treated children, but none received HIV prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
- Needle avoidance education programs can significantly reduce CANSIs in children.
- Enhancing safety in outdoor, home, and medical environments is essential for injury prevention.
- Establishing clear treatment guidelines for CANSIs is vital for appropriate post-injury management.
Objective:
To review community-acquired needle stick injuries (CANSIs) in children reported to a Canadian emergency room-based injury surveillance program.
Design:
Analysis of 1991 to 1996 CANSI records followed by chart review to determine use of prophylactic interventions and outcome information.
Setting:
The Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program network of 10 paediatric and six general hospitals.
Patients:
Nonoccupational injuries to patients younger than age 20 years involving used needles were reviewed.
Main Results:
Of 116 children injured, most were male (74%); the median age was 6.6 years. Needles were picked up before injury in 77% of the cases. Most injuries (78%) were from needles presumed to have been discarded by an injection drug user. Parks were the most common site of injury (21%). Six per cent of injuries occurred in medical settings. Treatment information was obtained for 71 (61%) patients. Only 1.7% had been immunized against hepatitis B virus before injury. Hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B virus vaccine were given to 78% and 76% of children, respectively. None received human immunodeficiency virus prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
Programs teaching needle avoidance may help prevent many CANSIs. The safety of outdoor, home and medical environments also needs to be ensured. Treatment guidelines for CANSIs will help ensure appropriate postinjury management.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:21Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:18Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios