Needlestick injury incidence and reporting in Irish surgical trainees

Needlestick injuries (NSI) in healthcare workers are common and rising in Ireland. Surgical trainees are particularly at-risk of NSIs. The aim of this study was to assess the estimated NSIs suffered by Irish surgical trainees, the reporting behaviours of NSI and the perceived barriers to reporting.

This was an anonymous, online survey of surgical trainees on the Irish surgical training programmes. Trainees were asked the estimated NSIs ever received, perceived NSI contributing factors, NSIs reported to occupational health, and perceived barriers to reporting of NSIs. Independent predictors of needlestick injury were assessed by ordinal logistic regression. Data analysis was performed with R, version 4.1.1.

There were 73 participants, with 66 % male and a median age group of 30-34 years. The median year of surgical training was 4. All but one trainee reported an NSI prior, with the median 6 (range of 0 to over 20). On ordinal logistic regression, year of training was the only independent factor associated with greater reported NSIs (OR 1.32). Most NSIs were from a suture needle in the non-dominant hand. Time pressure (79%) and mental fatigue (78%) were the most frequently perceived contributory factors. Only 14% of participants report all NSIs. The time requirements (82%) and reporting pathway complexity (81%) were the primary listed reasons for non-reporting of NSIs.

Despite being at high risk of needlesticks and the associated risks, few surgical trainees report all needlestick injuries. Reporting pathways of needlestick injuries should be streamlined to encourage greater reporting.