Underreporting of needlestick injuries in a university hospital

A survey of 1429 university hospital employees was conducted to estimate the extent of unreported needlestick injuries. Data based on 726 responses show that 40% of needlestick injuries within the past 3 months and 75% of needlestick injuries in the previous year had not been reported. Employees who did not report needlestick injuries were more likely to be new employees (less than 2 years). In addition to nursing, laboratory, and housekeeping employees, inhalation therapists and pharmacists are also at high risk for needlestick injuries. Studies attempting to show a reduction in needlestick injury rate should not use employee health records to assess efficacy.