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. 2022 May 1;30(9):428-436.
doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-00941. Epub 2022 Feb 15.

Workplace Hazards in Orthopaedic Surgery Training: A Nationwide Resident Survey Involving Sharps-related Injuries

Adam M Gordon  1 , Parke W Hudson, James R Bowman, Shawna L Watson, Lee R Leddy, Joseph G Khoury, Joshua C Patt, Creighton C Tubb, S Elizabeth Ames, Gerald McGwin, Brent A Ponce, Afshin E Razi
Affiliations

Workplace Hazards in Orthopaedic Surgery Training: A Nationwide Resident Survey Involving Sharps-related Injuries

Adam M Gordon et al. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. .

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical specialties are at an increased risk for occupational hazards, including sharps-related injuries. The objective of this study was to report the frequency of sharps injuries and evaluate which characteristics influence the number of injuries and reporting behaviors.

Methods: A web-based, anonymous survey was available for 10 weeks to 46 US orthopaedic surgery residency programs (1,207 potential residents) participating in an education research collaborative. The survey was divided into the following areas: demographics, training and attitudes concerning occupational hazards, and sharps injuries and reporting. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the above variables on experiencing sharps injuries with significance threshold set at P < 0.05.

Results: In this study, 518 surveys were included yielding a response rate of 42.9% (518/1,207). Nearly 80% of the residents recalled some form of safety training during intern orientation and 62% of the respondents felt that they received adequate occupation safety training specifically related to orthopaedic surgery. Four hundred seventeen residents (80.5%) experienced a sharps injury (mean 2.8). Nearly 20% of the respondents experienced ≥5 sharps injuries. Needle sticks (38.8%) were responsible for the greatest percentage of injuries, followed by Kirschner wires (33.6%), scalpel (22.5%), and bone (17.3%). Only 42% of the residents consistently reported all injuries. Reasons included feelings of no risk (63.1%), too much hassle (58.9%), embarrassment (14.5%), other (8.7%), forgot (5.8%), and unclear what to do (3.3%). Inadequate safety training specific to orthopaedic surgery (odds ratio, 2.32 [95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 4.46]; P = 0.012) and greater training seniority (odds ratio, 2.04 [95% confidence interval, 1.64 to 2.52]; P < 0.0001) were associated with acquiring five or more sharps injuries.

Discussion: Sharps injuries are a prevalent and concerning reality for orthopaedic surgical trainees. Despite this common occurrence, only 42% of the residents always reported their injuries. Inadequate training specific to orthopaedic surgery and each subsequent year of postgraduate training are associated with increased sharps injuries.

Study type: Level III, retrospective observational survey.

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References

    1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sharps Safety for Healthcare Settings. 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/index.html . Accessed August 13, 2021.
    1. Jagger J, Perry J, Gomaa A, Phillips EK: The impact of U.S. policies to protect healthcare workers from bloodborne pathogens: The critical role of safety-engineered devices. J Infect Public Health 2008;1:62-71.
    1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act and the requirement to include safety-engineered sharps devices in pre-packaged surgical kits or trays. 2004. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2003-02-20 . Accessed August 13, 2021.
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    1. Jagger J, Berguer R, Phillips EK, Parker G, Gomaa AE: Increase in sharps injuries in surgical settings versus nonsurgical settings after passage of national needlestick legislation. J Am Coll Surg 2010;210:496-502.

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