Das Gesundheitswesen
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Das Gesundheitswesen · Feb 2018
[Workers' Compensation Claims for Needlestick Injuries Among Healthcare Personnel in Hospitals, Doctors' Surgeries and Nursing Institutions].
The "Technical rules for biological agents in healthcare and welfare facilities" (TRBA 250) came into force in March 2014 in Germany and deals with protective measures to prevent needlestick injuries (NSI). The present study covers the period of 6 months after TRBA 250 came into force. The study had 2 objectives: to investigate whether hospitals, doctors' surgeries and care facilities differ with respect to the causes of needlestick injuries (NSI) and to collect data on availability and implementation of safety-engineered devices (SED) in these healthcare settings workplaces. ⋯ Training on the safe disposal of sharp instruments should be provided to all professional groups who come into contact with such instruments. It is currently not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the risk of infection from subcutaneous needles. As a high proportion of NSI in nursing homes and outpatient care services were caused by subcutaneous needles, training on safe handling practices for disposal of needles is needed in these settings.