Are Irish General Practitioners minimising infection risk from sharps?

A self administered postal questionnaire was sent to a computer randomised sample of 200 GPs registered with the Irish College of General Practitioners. The objective of this was to determine if Irish GPs are minimising infection risk from sharps, by observing current phlebotomy techniques, current sharps disposal methods and by availing of Hepatitis B vaccination. The response rate was 69% (n = 138). Phlebotomy technique: syringes and needles were used by 55% and the vacutainer system by 34% with 11% using both methods. Of note, 50% of G.P.s usually recapped needles and 57% never wore gloves. Only 48% of G.P.s had been vaccinated against Hepatitis B. More recently qualified G.P.s were more likely to be vaccinated. Many Irish G.P.s have unsafe phlebotomy practices. There is inadequate use of specifically designed impenetrable sharps boxes, with no standard method of either collection or disposal of used sharps. Uptake of Hepatitis B vaccination is low. Amongst Irish G.P.s, there is a gap between the perceived and the actual safety of sharps disposal methods in use. No protocol advising G.P.s on infection control exists. We recommend that guidelines regarding safe phlebotomy technique, sharps disposal and the importance of Hepatitis B vaccination be produced and strongly reinforced, and that within each health board there is a standard policy and procedure established for collection and disposal of used sharps. The above are essential for the health and safety for both G.P.s and the public.