Incidence of Cutaneous Injury in Clinical Nurses

Shin, Eun Jung; Moon, Jung Soon

Abstract

PURPOSE
To identify the incidence of cutaneous injury in clinical nurses. METHOD: From Feb.1 to 28, 2005, 276 clinical nurses were surveyed by questionnaire. RESULTS: 1. Of the nurses, 53.6% had at least one incidence of cutaneous injury, and the mean number of injuries was 1.34. A higher incidence rate for cutaneous injury was found in nurses who were under the age of 25, unmarried and who had less than 3 years career experience. 2. The major causes of injury were syringe needles at 65.0%, and medical instrument were next followed by sharp objects or blades. The injuries occurred when the nurses were rearranging equipment after care (25.2%), taking blood samples (22.8%), separating syringes and needles (17.1%), during surgical operations (14.2%), and distribution of medications, treatments and recapping of needles (5.7% each). The hands were the most common body parts injured, and the most prevalent pathogens contaminating the instruments causing the injury were HBV, syphilis, HCV and HIV in that order. 3. Of the injured nurses, 77.9% did not report the accident and 25.8% did not receive any treatment because there were no pathogens, it was a bother or there was difficulty reporting the incident. CONCLUSION: To reduce cutaneous injuries, intensive training and supervision may be needed for those of nurses under the age of 25, unmarried and with less than 3 years career experience.