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Association of the dominant hand and needle stick injuries for Healthcare Workers in Taiwan
Mbirimtengerenji, N.; Schaio, J.; Guo, L.Y. & Muula, A.
Abstract
Background
Healthcare workers face the risk of acquiring blood-borne
infections from patients through needle stick injuries.
Understanding the factors that are associated with increased
risk, for example, the role of the dominant hand, is important
so that preventive measures can be focused.
Methods
The EPINet (Exposure Prevention, Information Network- a
trade mark of Virginia University) questionnaire was used to
collect the data. The EPInet system started 2003 in Taiwan
under C-MESH. When healthcare workers sustain sharp
injury, they complete the injury report form, and report to
infection control personnel, who then transmitted the data
to EPINet website monthly.
Results
93.5% of the healthcare workers reported being right handed
and only 6.5% reported being left handed. About two-thirds
(65%) of the reported injuries were by self, 30% injuries
were by others and 5% were reported as injured by unknown.
There was an association between the dominant hand injury
and the needle stick original HCW user, p<0.0001. There is
a significant difference between the dominant hand and the
needlestick original HCW user.
HCW whose dominant hand was the right hand were
most likely at risk to be injured by “others” than “self” or
“unknown HCW”; OR≤ 18.39; CI (0.42 ± 2.33 ).
Conclusion
Needlestick injuries among health care workers in Taiwan
continue to pose a serious occupational problem. Historically,
prevention has focused on the use of protective wear than
assessment of which hand may be at greater risk than the
other. There is a greater need to prevent hand injuries as the
dominant hand remains the most used and injured in process
of patient care.
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