Needlestick Injuries and Blood and Body Fluid Splash Among Health Care Workers: A Trend Analysis

Background Needlestick injuries can result in trivial to disastrous consequences such as exposure to hepatitis B virus HBV and human immunodeficiency virus HIV. Early reporting and proper documentation are essential to identify those at risk while prompt investigation and treatment can mitigate the consequences of exposure.Objectives The present study was undertaken to analyse trends in needlestick injuries identify contributing factors and assess the measures implemented in a tertiary care medical college hospital in Bangalore.Methods A retrospective analysis of records from the previous seven years was conducted.Results Among 2003 health care workers 207 needlestick injuries were reported. The highest number of injuries occurred among waste handlers from urban local bodies. Injuries among doctors were statistically significant.Conclusion Among the documented cases the majority of injuries occurred in the wards probably due to inertia or inexperience.nbsp