Overcoming public health risks to staff during the management of waste from healthcare facilities: case studies from Italy

Vaccari, M., Perteghella, A., Stolfini, M. and Tudor, T. L. (2018) Overcoming public health risks to staff during the management of waste from healthcare facilities: case studies from Italy. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance. 31(6), pp. 619-630. 0952-6862.

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Item Type:	Article
Abstract:	Purpose: The management of public health risks is a key focus for the European Union (EU). One of the key factors that has been shown to pose a public health risk is that of the management of needles from healthcare facilities. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using audits of two case study hospitals based in northern Italy, this study sought to examine the key factors that resulted in needle stick injuries amongst staff and suggest measures to minimise these risks. Findings: The number of needle stick injuries was influenced by various key factors including the time period during the year, the length of time employed, the location within the site, staff category and working hours. Practical implications: Suggestions for overcoming the risk factors, including redesigning working patterns, staff training and awareness building, and the use of safety-engineered devices are outlined. Originality/value: This study examined the incidence of needle stick injuries amongst healthcare staff in two Italian Hospitals, which was lower than in other countries due to various factors, including recapping of needles not being allowed, the introduction of self-retractable needles, and awareness campaigns about the correct disposal procedures of potentially infectious waste.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Medical waste management, needle stick injuries, NSSI, public health
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA565 Environmental health > RA567.7 Medical wastes
Creators:	Vaccari, Mentore, Perteghella, Andrea, Stolfini, Martina and Tudor, Terry L
Publisher:	Emerald
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:	Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science
Date:	May 2018
Date Type:	Publication
Page Range:	pp. 619-630
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
Volume:	31
Number:	6
Language:	English
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-09-2016-0128
ISSN:	0952-6862
Status:	Published / Disseminated
Refereed:	Yes
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/10279

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