Needlestick injury and accidental exposure to blood: the need for improving the hepatitis B vaccination grade among health care workers outside the hospital

Am J Infect Control. 2006 Nov;34(9):610-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2006.02.004.

Abstract

To describe the characteristics of needlestick injuries occurring to health care workers outside the hospital, a new case report form was implemented and analyzed after 12 months. A total of 144 incidents were reported. Of the needlestick injuries in nursing assistants, 84% involved an insulin needle or pen. Thirty-five percent of all health care workers and 47% of the nursing assistants were not vaccinated against hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccination grade in health care workers outside the hospital should be improved, in particular among nursing assistants.

MeSH terms

  • Blood-Borne Pathogens
  • Health Personnel*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B / transmission
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Home Care Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Needlestick Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Nursing Assistants
  • Nursing Homes / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Vaccines