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Percutaneous injuries in anesthesia personnel
E S Greene1, A J Berry, W P Arnold
1Department of Anesthesiology, Albany Medical College, New York 12208, USA.
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Anesthesia personnel face risks from needlestick injuries, with most contaminated injuries potentially preventable. Implementing safety devices could significantly reduce occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Anesthesia providers are susceptible to blood-borne infections like HIV and hepatitis via percutaneous injuries.
- Specific occupational hazards from sharps in anesthesia are not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze percutaneous injuries (PIs) among anesthesia personnel.
- To identify devices and circumstances contributing to these injuries.
- To inform prevention strategies for occupational blood-borne infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 58 percutaneous injuries reported by anesthesia personnel across nine hospitals.
- Categorization of injuries by device contamination, severity, and mechanism.
- Evaluation of injury preventability.
Main Results:
- 39 of 58 PIs involved contaminated devices, primarily needles.
- 43% of contaminated PIs were moderate to severe, mostly affecting hands.
- 59% of contaminated PIs were deemed preventable, with hollow-bore needles being frequent culprits.
- No PIs reported with safety devices; injuries often occurred during or after procedures.
Conclusions:
- Hollow-bore needles and specific procedural moments are key risks for anesthesia personnel.
- Many percutaneous injuries are preventable through targeted interventions.
- Needlestick-prevention safety devices appear effective in preventing occupational PIs.