Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2010 Jun;15(1):41-47.

Needlestick/Sharps Injuries in Nursing Students in Korea: A Descriptive Survey

• Kim KM
• Han SJ
• Park SN

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and characteristics of needlestick/sharps injuries (NSIs) in nursing students in Korea.
METHODS
The study was based on a survey of questionnaires completed by 341 nursing students who had sustained at least one NSI during clinical practice in hospitals.
RESULTS
The NSI incidence rate was 36.4%. Approximately half of the students reported two to four NSIs. Most (90.2%) of the NSIs occurred on the fingertips and were caused by a hollow-bore needle (46.8%) or lancet (45.8%). Some students were exposed to used needles contaminated with unknown pathogens (37.3%), HBs Ag (2.3%), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) (0.8%), or HIV (0.6%). Students cited the reason for injury as carelessness, inexperience, hastiness, or recapping. Almost two-thirds of students who reported having experienced an NSI knew about post-exposure treatment. However, only one-third of the students with NSIs completed an official report.
CONCLUSION
Korean nursing students lack knowledge about injury prevention, report procedures, and treatment after NSI. A revised educational approach with emphasis on occupational risk, skill development, and injury reporting is necessary to prevent NSI and to ensure that students obtain post-exposure prophylaxis.

Keyword

Nursing student; Needlestick; Sharps injury; Education

MeSH Terms

Dietary Sucrose
HIV
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Needles
Needlestick Injuries
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Students, Nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Dietary Sucrose