Needle stick injuiries among support and ancillary staff in a national Dissertation

Needle stick injuiries among support and ancillary staff in a national hospital - Dissertation Example Despite these injuries being common, they are often under reported and in many places, both health care and non-health care workers are unaware of safety methods to prevent these infections. Globally, needle stick injuries are the most common cause of blood-borne infections among health care workers (Wilburn and Eijekamans, 2004). More than 35 million people worldwide constitute health care work force and they represent 12 percent of the working population in the world (Wilburn and Eijekamans, 2004). It is estimated that people working with them as non-health workers are even more in numbers (NHS, 2008). While health care workers are exposed to several biological hazards including blood-borne pathogens and airborne pathogens directly, non-health workers too are at risk of exposure. In addition to pathogens, both health and non-health workers are also exposed hazardous chemicals like sterilizing agents and disinfectants which increase the risk of development of dermatitis, asthma, car cinogens, reproductive toxins, etc (Wilburn and Eijekamans, 2004). ... ent among healthcare workers, which are a potential source for transmission of various diseases like Hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus. These injuries are also a potential source of transmission of prion-related diseases. The risk of transmission of hepatitis C with needle stick injuries is 3 percent, for hepatitis B is 30 percent and for HIV is 0.3 percent (Elmiyeh et al, 2004). The transmission from the patient to the healthcare worker through the injury depends on the viral load of the patient and also on the amount of blood that passes from the patient to the healthcare worker. Other infections which are transmissible through needle stick injuries are malaria, syphilis and herpes (Wilburn and Eijekamans, 2004). Management of needle stick injuries should follow state, national and international protocols. From various studies, especially the study by Thomson and Murray (2009), it is evident that only 3 percent of those who suffered from needle stick injuries follo wed any policy, be it either reporting or prevention of disease. The first aid for contaminated sharps injury must be encourage bleeding and washing with soap and water. The type of injury and the status of the patient must be discussed with local public health consultant immediately who will conduct an urgent preliminary risk assessment. In case there is risk of HIV infection, post exposure prophylaxis must be initiated as soon as possible, ideally within one hour. This is estimated to reduce the risk of transmission bu 80 percent. Post exposure prophylaxis must initiated much before the reports of the donor are available. Post exposure prophylaxis is a 28-day treatment with triple combination of antiretroviral drugs. it is associated with significant complications and needs follow up