Authors
Kennedy EJ; Hendricks KJ; Casey M
Source
J Occup Environ Med 2023 Jun; 65(6):495-501
Abstract
Objective: To examine sharps injury (SI) rates among US workers treated in hospital emergency departments. Methods: A national probability-based sample of approximately 67 US hospital emergency departments from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Occupational Supplement was used to examine annual national estimates of SI rates (number of injuries/10,000 full-time equivalents) for US workers from 2006 to 2020. Results: Among the general US worker population, the 25- to 34-year age group experienced the highest annual SI rate. Health care industry workers experienced SI rates up to 16 times the rate of all US workers. Conclusion: Younger age (≤34 years) is associated with increased SI risk. Tailored prevention efforts should be developed to address the specific needs of these workers, especially among health care workers. Continual occupational surveillance will maximize the health and safety of US workers.
Keywords
Sharps; Medical facilities; Age groups; Health care workers; Preventive measures; Workers; Work environment; Surveillance; Worker safety; Needlestick injuries;
Author Keywords: sharps injury; emergency departments; occupational exposure; healthcare industry; NEISS-Work
Contact
Kitty Hendricks, MA, 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
kjt1@cdc.gov
Source Name
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
