Better effect of the use of a needle safety device in combination with an interactive workshop to prevent needle stick injuries

Objectives: This study compares the effectiveness of two types of interventions with no intervention on the prevention of needle stick injuries (NSIs). Methods: Health care workers, who were at risk for NSIs, were eligible for this three-armed cluster randomized controlled trial. In total, 23 hospital wards were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 intervention groups, which were given either a needle safety device and a workshop (NW: 7 wards, n = 267) or a workshop only (W; 8 wards, n = 263). or to a control group (C; 8 wards, n = 266). The primary outcome was the half-year incidence of NSIs, which was measured through questionnaires and official notification at the occupational health service at baseline (TO), 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2) after baseline. Analysis were done by intention to treat. This study is registered as a prospective randomized trial, number NTR1207. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the groups for the half-year incidence of NSIs (p = 0.046) on the basis of questionnaire data with ORs for reported NSIs for the NW group compared with the control group of 0.34(95% CI: 0.13-0.91) and 0.45 (95% CI: 0.19-1.06) for the W group compared with the control group. The officially registered NSIs during the study period showed no statistical differences between the groups. Conclusions: The combined intervention of the introduction of needle safety devices and an interactive workshop led to the highest reduction in the number of self-reported NSIs compared to a workshop alone or no intervention. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.