Needle stick injuries increase at Gauteng hospitals
In the past three years, there were 2 330 needle stick injuries suffered by medical staff at Gauteng hospitals.
This information was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
The number of needle injuries has increased every year as follows:
n 2012 – 685
n 2013 – 807
n 2014 – 838
The highest number of needle stick injuries last year was at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, which recorded 252 injuries, followed by Steve Biko Hospital (154), Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (100), Ann Latsky Nursing College (66) and Kalafong Hospital (48).
According to Mahlangu, there is a standard operating procedure in reporting needle stick injuries, which includes noting it as an injury on duty to the Compensation Commissioner.
There is a high risk of HIV/Aids exposure with needle stick injuries, which is why a 28-day ARV course is prescribed, which is often unpleasant.
“I am concerned that no formal survey has been done to determine the causes of the high number of needle injuries, but the department says there are plans to do this,” says Jack Bloom MPL of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng.
“Medical staff need more protection against alarmingly high needle hazards in Gauteng hospitals.”
More use should be made of safety needles and extra training to ensure that needle injuries are minimised as much as possible.
Needle stick injuries are wounds caused by needles that accidentally puncture the skin, which can be a hazard for people who work with hypodermic syringes and other needle equipment.
These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of needles, but can be avoided by eliminating the unnecessary use of needles, using devices with safety features, and promoting education and safe work practices for handling needles and related systems.
The Addie is awaiting comment from Springs hospitals.
Source: www.cdc.gov
