Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung KH(1)(2), Chan KH(1)(2), Li WM(1)(2), Leung SH(1)(2), Ko SH(1)(2)
Affiliation :
(1)(2)Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, Kowloon Central Cluster
Introduction :
Blood-taking is a crucial daily operation in General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs), with Needle Stick Injury (NSI) posing a significant occupational health and safety (OSH) risk. From 2020 to 2022, the Kowloon Central Cluster Family Medicine and GOPCs reported a total of 15 NSI incidents, primarily associated with the use of butterfly needles. In response to this concern, various risk control measures were implemented to reduce NSI incidents.
Objectives :
The OSH enhancement program for NSI prevention aims to raise staff awareness of NSI risk control measures, enhance knowledge on NSI prevention during blood-taking, rectify staff misunderstandings about existing practices, and improve handling skills related to NSI.
Methodology :
The program consists of two main components. Firstly, in identifying preventive measures, a thorough review of NSI incident records was conducted in collaboration with the Departmental Quality and Safety (Q&S) team. This review concluded with a key recommendation that the use of vacutainer needles is preferred over butterfly needles, which is being monitored vigilantly by the clinic nurse in charge. Additionally, an instructional video was disseminated to educate staff on the safe use of butterfly needles.
The second component is a three-phase implementation carried out as follows:
1. Preparatory Phase (September 2022):
Involves a revision of NSI in the Adverse Incident Reporting System (AIRS), environmental safety rounds, identification of high-risk areas and practices, and monthly briefings to raise the alertness of frontline staff.
2. Implementation Phase (January-April 2023):
Featured a demonstration video, safety training for frontline staff, sourcing and purchasing of safety-engineered needles, sharing of sharps injury prevention tips, and a comprehensive review of blood-taking workflows.
3. Evaluation Phase:
Included outcome assessments, safety rounds by the Q&S and OSH teams, followed by immediate debriefings. Blood-taking audits were carried out in December 2023 and 2024.
Result & Outcome :
Following the preventive measures, staff demonstrated a thorough understanding of and adherence to safe blood-taking guidelines. The team shows high alertness and awareness in preventing NSIs. Their improved safety practices and proficiency in using sharps are reflected in a significant drop in the number of NSIs, from 5-6 incidents in 2020 and 2021 to only 0-1 incident in 2023 and 2024.
This program emphasizes the importance of preventing NSIs, and its implementation can effectively reduce NSIs by continuously promoting safety practices in blood-taking procedures.
