Document 0269
 DOCN  M9550269
 TI    Analysis of needlestick injuries to health care workers providing home
       care.
 DT    9505
 AU    Backinger CL; Koustenis GH; Division of Professional Practices, Food and
       Drug Administration,; Rockville, MD 20857.
 SO    Am J Infect Control. 1994 Oct;22(5):300-6. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95150302
 AB    BACKGROUND: This research analyzed needlestick injuries sustained by
       employees working in the home health environment to determine to what
       extent existing infection control policies and procedures in home health
       care are effective in reducing the risk of transmission of blood-borne
       infections. METHODS: In June and July 1992, a random sample of 600
       directors of home health care agencies in the United States were sent
       questionnaires concerning written blood-borne infection control policies
       and procedures of home health care agencies. Agency characteristics were
       also identified. RESULTS: A 46% response rate (n = 278) was obtained. Of
       the 226 agencies that reported needlestick injury rates, 102 agencies
       reported no needlestick injuries to home health care agency employees in
       the last year and 124 agencies reported from one to 134 needlestick
       injuries, for a cumulative total of 475. Statistical analyses revealed
       that agencies with safer sharps containers, safer hypodermics, or safer
       access to intravenous administration lines did not have statistically
       significantly rates of lower needlestick injury than agencies without
       these safer products. CONCLUSIONS: This study should be considered
       exploratory; causal relationships cannot be established. Although
       written blood-borne infection control policies and procedures do not
       appear to provide protection to home health care workers from the risk
       of needlestick injury, limitations in the data exist. Consequently,
       results should be viewed with caution and additional research is needed.
 DE    Blood-Borne Pathogens  Comparative Study  Health Personnel/*STATISTICS &
       NUMER DATA  Hepatitis B/PREVENTION & CONTROL  Home Care
       Services/*MANPOWER  Human  HIV Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL
       Infection Control/*METHODS  Needlestick Injuries/*EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Occupational Exposure  Questionnaires  Risk Factors  United
       States/EPIDEMIOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).