Injury or body fluid splash incidence rate during three months period in elective surgery procedures, at Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of sharp injuries (SI) and blood and body fluid (BBF) splashes in health care workers during elective surgery procedures (ESP). This study would help to plan the preventive measures for injuries and BBF splashes.
METHODS: All ESP were recorded during three months period and SI and BBF splashes were analyzed in Hospital of Dicle University. Hospital employees who reported SI or BBF splashes were interviewed about the types of devices causing injury and the circumstances of the injury.
RESULTS: During three months period, 1988 ESPs were recorded. SIs were reported in 111 procedures (5.6%) and BBF splashes were in 145 (7.3%). Incidence rate of SI was 2.8 per person year in teaching staff, 5.6 in residents, 6.3 in nurses and 1.5 for other health care workers. Incidence rate of BBF splashes was 14.5 per person year in trainers, 6.9 in residents, 8.4 in nurses, respectively. Duration of ESP, start time of ESP and number of employed personnel in the ESP were the factors that significantly influenced SI incidence. Duration of ESP and total person worked in ESP was effective on BBF splashes. SI was occurred in 14.4 of mandibulofacial, 12.2% of general surgery, 10.5% of chest surgery and 8.4% of brain surgery ESP. BBF splashes occurred in 14.4% of general surgery's, 13.5% of urology's, 14% of chest surgery's, 14.7% of cardiovascular surgery's ESP. The most frequently injured tissue was index finger (33.9%) and the pollex finger (31.4%).
CONCLUSION: SIs and BBFs are important health risks for health professionals who are involved in surgery, as it is in all other medical practices. SI and BBF splashes should be monitored and preventive measures should be planned urgently.