Incidence, knowledge, attitude and practice toward needle stick injury among nursing students in Saudi Arabia

Prevalence, knowledge, and awareness of needle stick injuries among nursing students in Palestine and associated factors

BACKGROUND

Student nurses are vulnerable to blood-borne infections from needle stick injuries (NSIs) during clinical training. To stay safe from the threats, they; must comprehend every facet of NSIs. The study's objectives were to determine the level; of knowledge among student nurses about NSIs and to examine their prevalence and; prevention strategies in Palestine.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was employed on a sample of 449 student nurses through an online anonymous survey between February 20, 2024, and March 20, 2024. The three questionnaire parts assessed the demographics of the students, the nurses' knowledge of NSIs, their exposure to NSIs, and their use of preventative measures. The data; were analyzed using SPSS Version 26.

RESULTS

A total of 449 students answered the questionnaire; 345 (76.8 %) were female and their average age was 21.08 (SD = 2.47) years. Out of ten, the average score for total knowledge was 7.04 (SD = 1.51). Nearly 105 students (23.4 %) reported having been exposed to NSIs at least once and most of them were junior students 67 (63.8 %). Of these, 69.5 % happened in open hospital units, while the technique of withdrawing blood caused 41.9 % of NSIs, and 67.6 % of students didn't report the incident of injury.

CONCLUSION

Training programs are necessary to reduce the risk of blood-borne disease transmission and improve workplace safety for nursing students. Clinical nursing administrators should create practical plans to lower the incidence of NSIs.

The relationship between patient safety culture and attitudes toward incident reporting among registered nurses

BACKGROUND

Patient safety is a primary concern in healthcare due to errors and low incident reporting rates. A strong safety culture and positive attitudes towards reporting are crucial for improving patient safety culture (PSC). Overcoming barriers and conducting research can enhance incident reporting, foster a safety culture, and improve patient outcomes.

AIM

To investigate the relationship between patient safety culture and attitudes toward incident reporting among Jordanian nurses.

METHODOLOGY

This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design. A convenient sample of 307 registered staff nurses from Jordanian hospitals across different sectors was selected. Validated and translated questionnaires, which included the Incident Reporting Culture Questionnaire and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture, were used for data collection. Statistical analyses, such as descriptive and inferential statistics (including Pearson correlation, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical regression analysis), were employed to address research questions using SPSS version 26.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that the Patient Safety Culture (PSC) organizational learning dimension had the highest positive response rate (70.6%), while the hands-off and transition dimension had the lowest score (24.9%). Approximately 43.6% of participants reported no events in the last 12 months, whereas only 4.2% reported experiencing 12 or more events. The overall perception of patient safety was rated as 'very good' by 55.7% of the participants. The results from the Incident Reporting Culture Questionnaire (IRCQ) indicated a moderate overall willingness among nurses to report incidents, along with positive attitudes toward implementing lessons learned from errors and offering feedback on incident reports. Significant differences in attitudes toward incident reporting were observed based on the type of hospital (p = 0.037) and working hours (p = 0.012). Moreover, significant correlations were found between Patient Safety Culture dimensions and Incident Reporting Culture Questionnaire dimensions. The most robust positive correlation was observed between the feedback and communication about errors dimension in Patient Safety Culture and the learning from errors dimension in Incident Reporting Culture Questionnaire (r = 0.401, p = 0.000). Through hierarchical multiple regression analysis, it was demonstrated that Patient Safety Culture significantly predicted attitudes toward incident reporting (β = 0.441, p < 0.001), while controlling for demographic variables.

CONCLUSION

This study discovered a positive correlation between patient safety culture and attitudes toward incident reporting among Jordanian nurses. Enhancing patient safety culture and adopting non-punitive measures can effectively improve incident reporting behavior within healthcare settings.

Compliance of infection control practices among registered nurses: A cross-sectional study

Nurses are essential in the upkeep, maintenance, and implementation of infection control standards and guidelines by ensuring that their practices reflect the current evidence in the prevention of infectious diseases. The study performed to measure the level of infection control practices compliance among nurses. A cross-sectional design, was performed among nurses in 3 governmental hospitals. Infection control practices Tool were shared between August 2023 and October 2023, made up of 29 questions scored using a 5-point Likert scale. Overall mean levels of infection control practices were rated weak compliance (raw score = 105, mean = 3.64, standard deviation [SD] = 0.9). The items with the highest rated scores were Item 1 ("I wash my hands before and after giving care to patient") (raw score = 110, mean = 3.79, SD = 1.0) and Item 25 ("I inform other units before transferring patients who are under contact precautions") (raw score = 110, mean = 3.79, SD = 1.1). None of the sociodemographic variables analyzed show a statistically significant relationship with infection control practices, as all P-values are >.05. Nurse, managers, and hospital administrators should ensure that policies reflect the critical significance of infection control practices in preventing further morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients and protecting the health and well-being of nurses and other healthcare staff.

Investigating the relationship between clinical competence and the incidence of needle-stick injuries (NSIs) and their contributing factors in nurses: a descriptive cross-sectional study in Southern Iran

BACKGROUND

Needle-stick injuries (NSIs) pose a substantial occupational hazard, exposing healthcare professionals to potentially infectious diseases. Nurses' clinical competence plays a crucial role in preventing and mitigating the incidence of NSIs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between clinical competence and the incidence of NSIs, as well as the factors contributing to these injuries, among nurses in Fars Province, southern Iran, from March 2023 to May 2023.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study included 264 nurses selected through convenience sampling. All participants were employed in various departments of teaching hospitals in Fasa city, southern Iran, during the study period. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a clinical competence questionnaire specifically developed for nurses. The demographic questionnaire captured variables such as age, gender, marital status, educational background, departmental assignment, work experience, and weekly working hours. The clinical competence questionnaire consisted of 55 items assessing seven dimensions: clinical care, leadership, legal and ethical performance, professional development, interpersonal relationships, education and coaching, and critical thinking and research aptitude. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 16), employing the Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple logistic regression analysis. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied to all tests.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that 39.4% of the participating nurses exhibited high clinical competence, 51.5% demonstrated moderate competence, and 9.1% were classified as having low competence. Statistical analysis indicated a significant association between clinical competence levels and needle-stick status (P = 0.002). Moreover, a significant difference was identified between clinical competence levels and the frequency of NSIs (P = 0.001). A logistic regression model was employed to assess the likelihood of NSIs based on demographic variables. The results showed that 178 participants (67.42%) had experienced needle-stick or sharp injuries within the preceding year. Among these, 63 males (35.3%) and 115 females (64.6%) reported such incidents. The highest incidence of needle-stick and sharp injuries occurred in the Operating Room (91.7%), followed by Dialysis (88.9%), Pediatrics (80%), Surgical Intensive Care (76.5%), Emergency (74.3%), Women's Surgery (70%), Post-Cardiac Intensive Care (69.2%), Oncology (63.6%), Internal Medicine (59.1%), Surgery and Infectious Diseases (54.5%), Laboratory and Cardiac Intensive Care (52.9%), Men's Surgery (50%), and the Psychiatric Ward (41.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering that the majority of nurses working in hospitals exhibited moderate to low levels of clinical competence, it is recommended that hospitals implement an annual clinical competence assessment for nurses. Regular evaluations and targeted training programs can enhance nurses' competence levels, thereby improving patient care quality and reducing the incidence of NSIs among healthcare providers. Additionally, specific strategies should be developed and implemented in medical centers and hospitals to mitigate the risk of NSIs across all hospital departments, particularly in high-risk areas such as operating rooms and dialysis units, where the prevalence of NSIs is significantly higher.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

A Survey of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of a Sample of Albanian Medical Students in Relation to Occupational Exposure to Biological Agents

(1) Background: Exposure to blood carries the risk of transmission of many infectious diseases. Healthcare workers (HCWs), including hospital-based medical students, face high and often under-reported rates of exposure to needlestick and sharps injuries. Previous studies have shown that students' knowledge of infection control varies, highlighting the importance of pre-placement training. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding these risks in a population of medical students from Albania. (2) Methods: A validated questionnaire was administered to 134 medical students in an Italian hospital in May 2023. It assessed HBV vaccination status, adherence to infection control practices, knowledge of pathogen transmission, exposure incidents and attitudes towards infected patients. Three additional questions addressed air-borne transmission of tuberculosis and vaccination recommendations for healthcare workers. (3) Results: Most students (64%) reported being aware of occupational exposure risks. While 93% and 87%, respectively, recognised HIV and HBV as blood-borne pathogens, fewer recognised Treponema pallidum (44%). Awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was high (85%), but although 75% reported having received training, only 45% felt it was adequate. Statistical analysis revealed an association between knowledge of infection control, awareness of pathogen transmission and understanding of the importance of vaccination. (4) Conclusions: Our study highlights gaps in medical students' knowledge of occupational infections and highlights the need for improved pre-clerkship education. Improved education could reduce anxiety, ethical issues and misconceptions and promote safer healthcare practices.

Analyzing the occupational exposure risks of dental healthcare workers from the perspective of repeated occupational exposure

BACKGROUND

Healthcare workers in dental hospitals frequently experience repeated occupational exposures (ROEs). In our study, we aim to analyze these repeated exposures among dental healthcare workers (DHWs), assess the risk levels of different risk factors, and explore the significance of ROE data for infection control in dental hospitals.

METHODS

Based on hospital statistical data, we categorized the occupational exposure incidents at West China Hospital of Stomatology over the past seven years into initial and repeated exposures. We analyzed the association of various risk factors, including personnel types, gender, treatment locations, timing of occupational exposure, and pathways of occupational exposure, with the occurrence of repeated exposures. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21 was used to conduct chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression analysis, with the significance level set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Compared to students, hospital dentists with teaching qualifications exhibited a higher risk of ROEs. The risk of repeated exposure for dental students was 60% lower than that of hospital dentists (P = 0.003). However, gender, treatment locations, timing of occupational exposure, and pathways of occupational exposure did not significantly impact the repeated exposures among DHWs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that the analysis of repeated occupational exposures (ROEs) is meaningful. In our study, hospital dentists with teaching qualifications had the highest risk of ROEs, compared to dental students, hospital dental nurses, and dental nurse students. This means that among individuals who have already experienced occupational exposure, hospital dentists are more likely to experience repeated exposure. Meanwhile, gender, treatment locations, timing of occupational exposure, and pathways of occupational exposure did not have a significant impact on the occurrence of ROEs.

Assessment of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries (NSSIs) Amongst Orthopaedic Surgeons in Clinical Practice: A Pan-India Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) represent an existential occupational hazard risk to orthopaedic surgeons during their career due to the interaction with various devices, instruments and bone fragments. Consequently, NSSIs have the potential to transmit infections such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) leading to serious illness. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify the clinical settings predisposing orthopaedic surgeons to NSSIs and assess their adherence to safety protocols in the Indian context.

Materials and Methods

An online cross-sectional survey of 618 orthopaedic surgeons in India, stratified by experience into two groups: under five years and with 5 years or more was undertaken. The data were collected via an expert-validated online questionnaire to evaluate demographic distribution, injury characteristics, knowledge of safety protocols, and adherence to these protocols. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, Chi-square tests assessed variable associations, and odds ratios were computed for significant variables. Ethical integrity was maintained via electronic informed consent and for confidentiality assurances.

Results

The study revealed that orthopaedic surgeons with less than 5 years of clinical experience had higher risks for NSSIs as compared to those with 5 or more years of clinical practice. Conversely, the latter group was more susceptible to bone spike injuries and viral positive needlestick incidents. The analysis shows that whilst the more experienced practitioners displayed greater proficiency in the application of universal precautions and NSSI prevention, they were also less likely to report injuries, often due to discomfiture. Risk profiles were consistent across different practice settings and affiliations, regardless of experience level.

Conclusion

This cross-sectional study reveals less experienced orthopaedic surgeons face higher risks of NSSIs, possibly due to inadequate education or awareness. More experienced practitioners encounter distinct risks, likely owing to long-term exposure and traditional practices. There is an immediate need to raise awareness of the potential risks of NSSIs, enhanced education, appropriate training, collaboration with the hospital risk management team and developing a culture of transparent reporting to mitigate these risks. The emphasis should be on reducing the incidence and fostering open reporting of NSSIs to protect clinicians and promote health safety.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward Patient Safety among nurses in health centers

OBJECTIVE

To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward patient safety among nurses working at primary and comprehensive health care centers in Jordan; to identify factors that predict KAPs among nurses.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted using a convenience sample of 307 primary health care nurses in Jordan. A self-reported questionnaire (KAPs) toward patient safety was distributed to the nurses between August 2022 and October 2022.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the mean score of knowledge was 9.51 out of 11 (SD = 1.35), the mean score of attitudes was 57.66 out of 75 (SD = 9.17), and the mean score of practices was 5.64 out of 8 (SD = 1.72). Where 59% of participants reported good knowledge about patient safety. 61% of participants reported positive attitudes toward patient safety. A significant regression equation was found (R² = 0.073, F= (2.94), p = 0 0.003). Age and having information on patient safety during continuing education were significant predictors of the attitude score (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to implement patient safety education programs and training.

How Sharp Objects Injuries Impact our Healthcare Workers: Unveiling Perspective and Preventive Imperatives

Introduction Sharp object injuries in the medical field present a considerable occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs), encompassing a spectrum of consequences from immediate discomfort to enduring health consequences. These injuries may expose HCWs to potential infections. Despite efforts to control sharp object injuries in healthcare environments, they are present at every stage involving using or disposing of medical sharp instruments. In Jordan, limited research has focused on sharp object injuries, with most data included from studies concentrating on practicing nurses or nursing students. Consequently, further research is necessary to comprehend the causes behind the high sharp object injury rate and the insufficient knowledge of safety practices and preventive guidelines. Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the impact of sharp object injuries on HCWs, underlying causes, and potential consequences causes of needlestick injuries. To highlight perspective and preventive imperatives. Methods and patients This retrospective institutional-based cross-sectional chart analysis was conducted by reviewing all sharp object injuries report sheets and extracting data directly from these reports for analysis. The study encompassed all reported cases occurring between 2018 and 2023. All the participants' data handling was accomplished according to the Declaration of Helsinki (2013) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Acts.  Results A total of 146 self-reported hospital workers were included in the study. Within the final cohort, 52.73% of the participants were male (77/146), with an average age at diagnosis of 38.6±7.87 years (ranging from 20 to 52 years). Conversely, females comprised 47.27% of the cohort population (69/146) and had an average age at diagnosis of 34.73±6.73 years (ranging from 19 to 47 years). The age group 20-29 years was the most prominent age group, statistical analysis of age and gender data revealed significant differences. The overall prevalence of sharp object injuries was 11.83%, indicating that a sizable portion of HCWs is at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Among the different professional categories, Physicians constituted the majority of sharp object injuries reported victims in 41 cases (28.08%), followed by nurses in 38 cases (26.02%). Statistical analysis of the profession's data revealed significant differences (P<0.001). Notably, sharp object injuries were most reported in wards. The leading procedures that caused sharp object injuries were identified as during needle recapping in 53 instances (36.30%), then followed by medical waste treatment in 32 cases (21.92%). The left hand was the most affected body part, reported in 83 cases (56.84%). All injured individuals reported the incident promptly. No seroconversions were documented within the reviewed cases during the study period. Conclusion Injuries caused by sharp objects persist as a significant danger for hospital employees, posing immediate harm and long-term health risks linked to bloodborne pathogens. The findings stress the continuous responsibility of healthcare institutions to prioritize staff safety by addressing the root causes of sharp object injuries and fostering reporting and prevention cultures. Underreporting reasons are diverse, encompassing factors like time constraints, fear of consequences, and the misconception of injury insignificance.

Assessment of the quality of nursing work life and its related factors among critical care nurses

Background

Quality of work life (QWL) refers to the degree to which employees contribute to the organization's goals while also experiencing personal and professional satisfaction. This study conducted to evaluate the quality of nursing work life (QNWL) level and its associated factors among nurses working in critical care units.

Methods

A convenience sample technique among critical care nurses in Jordan by using a cross-sectional, descriptive design. A self-reported questionnaire was used. A Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Andersson and Lindgren questionnaires scale were used in data collection.

Results

The total mean scores of QNWL were M = 86.17 (SD = 35.12), which is slightly below the expected middle value (87.5). The nurses have a higher psychological relation, M = 18.28 (SD = 8.99), whereas they have the lowest competence development, M = 11.44 (SD = 5.56). There was statistical significance between workplace noise, and workplace sources of noise, quality of sleep and QNWL.

Conclusion

The outcomes also highlighted the significance of undertaking additional interventional research studies in the future in order to identify practical strategies to improve nurses QNWL. As a result, the nursing care given to the patients and their families may be improved.

Nursing students' handling patient safety incidents during clinical practice: A retrospective qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Nursing students may encounter patient safety incidents during clinical practice. Understanding the challenges and concerns of nursing students in handling with patient safety incident could contribute to informing nursing education and clinical practice training.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate how nursing students handle patient safety incidents during clinical practice.

DESIGN

A retrospective descriptive qualitative study.

SETTING

Nursing school in Slovenia.

PARTICIPANTS

A snowball sampling technique was used to recruit nursing students (n = 15).

METHODS

Data were collected via guided self-reflection diaries in 2021. Collected data were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We have generated the main theme of nursing students' handling patient safety incidents during clinical practice. The four primary thematic subthemes were: (1) emotional responses; (2) patient safety incident occurrence and actions taken; (3) contributing factors; and (4) consequences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights nursing students' handling of patient safety incidents during clinical practice, revealing a spectrum of emotional responses, immediate actions, contributing factors, consequences, and the importance of fostering a non-blaming culture through reporting and effective communication.

Study on needle stick injuries during surgery and blunt needle use for reducing occupational exposure and hygiene benefits

BACKGROUND

The conventional round suture needle poses a significant risk of needle stick injuries among surgical physicians, identified as a global occupational hazard by the World Health Organization, increasing hospital costs and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. While novel blunt suture needles have shown promise in reducing these risks, their adoption is limited domestically, prompting a study to compare their efficacy against traditional sharp needles in reducing needle stick injuries among surgical physicians.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate suture needle stick injuries among surgical doctors during operations and assess the application effectiveness of a novel blunt suture needle.

METHODS

A total of 106 surgical department physicians from March 2021 to February 2023 participated in the study. After completing a questionnaire survey on suture needle injuries during surgery, the participants were divided into two groups. Over a 6-month intervention period, the control group used regular round needles while the study group utilized novel blunt suture needles. Subsequently, suture needle injury incidence rates and economic hygiene benefits were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The suture needle injury questionnaire survey showed that over the past 6 months, among 106 surgical department physicians, 20 needle stick injuries occurred, yielding an incidence rate of 18.87%. The highest incidence (65.00%) was during suturing incisions longer than 10 cm, primarily when visibility was poor (70.00%). Surgeons linked most injuries (60.00%) to prolonged surgical duration causing fatigue. Although 85.00% detected injuries within 1 minute, only 40.00% were reported, often due to perceived reporting complexity. Following intervention, the study group had significantly fewer injuries per surgery and lower occupational exposure costs compared to the control group (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Surgical department physicians commonly sustain suture needle injuries while suturing incisions of 5-10 cm length under poor visibility, exacerbated by prolonged surgical duration. Despite detecting most injuries within 1 minute, only 40% are reported. The implementation of novel blunt suture needles significantly decreases injury rates, resulting in reduced occupational exposure costs and favorable safety and economic hygiene outcomes.

Awareness of reporting practices and barriers to incident reporting among nurses

BACKGROUND

Adequate incident reporting practices for clinical incident among nurses and even all healthcare providers in clinical practice settings is crucial to enhance patient safety and improve the quality of care delivery. This study aimed to investigate the level of awareness of incident reporting practices and identify the barriers that impact incident reporting among Jordanian nurses.

METHODS

A descriptive design using a cross-sectional survey was employed among 308 nurses in 15 different hospitals in Jordan. Data collection was conducted between November 2019 and July 2020 using an Incident Reporting Scale.

RESULTS

The participants showed a high level of awareness of the incident reporting with a mean score of 7.3 (SD = 2.5), representing 94.8% of the highest score. Nurses perceived their reporting practices at the medium level, with a mean score of 2.23 out of 4. The main reporting barriers included worrying about disciplinary actions, fearing being blamed, and forgetting to make a report. In regard to awareness of incident reporting, there were statistically significant differences in the mean for total awareness of the incident reporting system scores according to the type of hospital (p < .005*). In regard to self-perceived reporting practices, nurses working in accredited hospitals demonstrated statistically significant differences in self-perceived reporting practices (t = 0.62, p < .005).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results provide empirical results about perceived incident reporting practices and perceived barriers to reporting frequently. Recommendations are made to urge nursing policymakers and legislators to provide solutions for those barriers, such as managing staffing issues, nursing shortage, nurses' empowerment, and fear of disciplinary actions by front-line nurse managers.

Electronic health literacy and its association with lifestyle behavior among undergraduate students: A cross-sectional survey

Background

This study aims to assess healthy lifestyle behaviors among undergraduate students and determine the association between electronic health literacy with lifestyle behavior among undergraduate Jordanian university students.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The study recruited 404 participants utilizing undergraduate students from public and private universities. The e-Health literacy scale was used to assess the level of health information literacy among university students.

Results

Data were collected from 404 participants who reported very good health status, the majority of the participants were female 57.2% with an average age of 19.3 years. The results showed that participants had good health behavior in terms of exercise, taking breakfast, smoking status, and sleeping status. The results have shown an inadequate level of e-Health literacy 16.61 (SD = 4.10) out of 40. The vast majority of students, in terms of their attitudes toward the Internet, thought that Internet health information was very useful/useful (95.8%). Also, they thought that online health information was very important /important (97.3%). The results showed that students who were attending public universities had higher e-Health literacy scores rather than those who were attending private universities, t (402) = 1.81, p = .014. The mean e-Health literacy score for nonmedical students was higher than those for medical students (p = .022).

Conclusion

The study's findings provide important insights into the health behaviors and electronic health literacy of undergraduate students in Jordanian universities, and offer valuable guidance for future health education programs and policies aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles in this population.