Needlestick Injuries in Interventional Radiology Are Common and Underreported

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Occupational Health
• Radiology

Background:

• Needlestick and sharps injuries pose significant risks to healthcare professionals.
• Interventional radiology involves procedures with inherent risks of percutaneous injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of needlestick injuries among interventional radiologists.
• To identify risk factors associated with these injuries.
• To understand attitudes and behaviors regarding injury reporting.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 3889 interventional radiologists in the United States.
• The survey collected data on injury occurrence, type, and reporting practices.
• Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify predictors of injury reporting.

Main Results:

• 91% of respondents reported a prior needlestick injury, averaging one per 5 years of practice.
• Only 66% of injuries were reported, with common reasons for non-reporting including perceived lack of utility and low risk.
• Male sex, low-risk patient, self-injury, trainee status, and prior injury history predicted non-reporting.

Conclusions:

• Needlestick injuries are highly prevalent in interventional radiology.
• A significant proportion of these injuries go unreported, highlighting a gap in safety practices.
• Addressing barriers to reporting is essential to improve occupational safety.