Needle-Stick Injuries in Ophthalmic Practice

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Occupational Health & Safety

Background:

• Needle-stick injuries (NSI) pose a significant risk for transmitting blood-borne infections.
• Ophthalmic practice's microsurgical nature increases the likelihood of sharp injuries among healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the epidemiological characteristics of needle-stick injuries in a tertiary eye center.
• To assess the effectiveness of existing safety policies in preventing sharp injuries within the ophthalmic setting.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed sharp injury incidents reported between 2013 and 2021 at King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH).
• Data collected included injury mechanisms, context, location, and type of prick.
• An institution-based survey of ophthalmic staff was also conducted.

Main Results:

• A total of 201 sharp injury incidents were reported over 9 years.
• Physicians accounted for 46.8% of injuries, followed by nurses (40.8%) and ophthalmic technicians (7%).
• Operating and treatment rooms were the most common locations for incidents (60.7%).

Conclusions:

• Sharp injuries in ophthalmic settings are frequently sustained by staff in operating rooms.
• Continuous staff education on handling sharp instruments is vital.
• Encouraging anonymous reporting and regularly updating safety guidelines are essential for reducing sharp injuries.