Epidemiology of needlestick and sharps injuries among nurses in a Japanese teaching hospital

The epidemiology of needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) was investigated among a complete cross-section of 1162 nurses from a large hospital in southern Japan (response rate 74.0%). Forty-six percent had experienced an NSI in the previous year. Most were caused by ampoules or vials, which injured 32.3% of all nurses and accounted for 42.9% of all NSI events. Twenty-two percent of all NSIs involved a device that had been used on a patient prior to the NSI (contaminated device), while the usage status of a further 2.8% of devices was unknown. Logistic regression indicated that nurses younger than 25 years of age were 2.18 times more likely to have sustained a single NSI in the past 12 months [odds ratio (OR) 2.18, 95% confidence intervals (0) 1.15-4.17] and 2.39 times more Likely to have sustained multiple NSIs (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.08-5.34). Working mixed shifts (rotating day and night, as opposed to day shifts atone) was associated with a 1.67-fold increased risk of sustaining any NSI (OR 1.67, 95% C1 1.01-2.85) and a 2.72 times greater risk of sustaining an NSI from a contaminated device (OR 2.72, 95% C1 1.71-4.44). Nurses who reported significant fatigue after work were 1.87 times more likely to sustain multiple NSIs (OR 1.87, 95% C1 1.13-3.13) and 1.94 times more likely not to report their NSIs (OR 1.94, 95% C1 1.03-3.71). Perceived high mental pressure was associated with a 1.75-fold increased risk of sustaining an NSI from a contaminated device (OR 1.75, 95% C1 1.07-2.88). Nurses who reported suboptimal staffing levels in their wards were 2.21 times more likely not to report any NSIs they sustained in the previous year (OR 2.21, 95% C1 1.06-4.89). Overall, this study suggests that NSIs represent a complex and multi-faceted problem for Japanese nurses. Intervention strategies should consider the emerging complicity of psychosocial factors on NSI among hospital staff in Japan, as elsewhere. (c) 2006 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.