Abstract
Title
RESEARCH APPROACH ON NEEDLE STICK/SHARP INJURIES AND SAFETY HAZARD FACED BY NURSES
Author
Padma sree Potru1*, Srivani G2, Suma Priya D2, Swaroopa Rani. Ch.3, Harsha G4
Email
email
keyword
nurse problems, needle stick/sharp injuries, nurses education, public education on nurses.
Abstract
Needle Stick/Sharp Injuries are a major occupational and safety hazard faced by health care workers. Physicians, nurses and laboratory-staff are frequently exposed to Needle Stick/Sharp Injuries. Nursing staff are at high risk for occupational exposure to needle stick injuries with 100% having experienced it. Health care workers frequently handle needles and sharp instruments in their patient care. Among all health care professionals nurses play an important role in providing patient care, so they are at risk for Needle Stick/Sharp Injuries. The reasons are lack of assistance or haste, heavy work load, inexperience with new equipments, followed by processing instruments and recapping of needles. The methodology of research indicates the general patterns of organizing the data, procedure of gathering the valid reliable data for the problem under investigation. Research methodology is a significant part of any study which enables the researcher to project the research undertaken. Research methodology enables the research to project a blue print of details, data, approach, analysis and findings of research undertaken. It is the blue print projected by the researcher of the research study. In the process of job functions nurses experience a variety of work related problems like heavy lifting , pushing, pulling and frequent bending, long standing, extra hours of work which directly impose stress on musculoskeletal system problems among nurses. Some time though they have knowledge not able to apply protective measures due to work pressure and lack of time or resources. The heavy work load is the major cause of injury. The education and training to be provided to nurses regarding using protective devices and proper handling of sharps, nurses and sharp handles are at great risk of acquiring blood borne diseases like HIV, HBS Ag. The institutions should follow the Government regulations to prevent needle stick injuries. Supervisors should encourage to report the incident. Organizations should encourage to follow the infection control techniques and should provide the post – exposure prophylaxis. Last but not least organizations should take initiation to recruit adequate staff so that work load decreases for nurses. Which is one of the major reasons of needle stick and sharp injuries.
