Needlestick injuries: causes, preventability and psychological impact
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
S Wicker1, A V Stirn, H F Rabenau
1Occupational Health Service, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, sabine.wicker@kgu.de.
Abstract:
Needlestick injuries (NSI) pose a significant health hazard among healthcare personnel (HCP). The aim of our prospective observational study was to evaluate the psychological impact of NSI and assess measures to prevent NSI. The target group was the medical staff and students of Frankfurt University Hospital who had experienced a NSI (n = 370) during the 12-month study period. Data were retrieved from accident insurance reports, occupational follow-up examinations and a standardized anonymous questionnaire sent to the affected HCP. Analysis of the completed questionnaires (232/370) revealed that stress (48.3 %) and tiredness (36.6 %) were common factors contributing to the NSI and that >80 % of the respondents were concerned about the consequences of the NSI. Higher levels of anxiety were reported when the patient was known to have a chronic virus infection. Stressful working conditions, lack of adequate protective medical/technical equipment and poor work routines were suggested as factors contributing to NSI.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Standard 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...

