Occupational Needlestick Injuries in a US Airport

Objective: To characterize needlestick injuries (NSIs) among airport workers, and to suggest preventive strategies. Methods: A retrospective chart review (2003-2008) of workers evaluated at a clinic in a large US airport that provides occupational health services. Results: Over a period of 6 years,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2010-05, Vol.52 (5), p.551-554
Main Authors: Dorevitch, Samuel, Lacey, Steven E., Abelmann, Anders, Zautcke, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accident prevention
Adult
Airports
Aviation
Biological and medical sciences
Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & control
Female
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Illinois - epidemiology
Male
Medical Audit
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Needlestick injuries
Needlestick Injuries - epidemiology
Needlestick Injuries - prevention & control
Occupational accidents
Occupational Exposure
Occupational Health
Occupational Health Services
Occupational medicine
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Retrospective Studies
Safety Management - methods
Young Adult
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Summary:Objective: To characterize needlestick injuries (NSIs) among airport workers, and to suggest preventive strategies. Methods: A retrospective chart review (2003-2008) of workers evaluated at a clinic in a large US airport that provides occupational health services. Results: Over a period of 6 years, 14 NSI cases were seen. The majority of injuries occurred while workers cleaned lavatories in the airport or on airplanes. Insulin needles were involved in most cases, and the injuries typically occurred on the hand. No cases of hepatitis B, C, or HIV seroconversion were documented, although follow-up was typically incomplete. Conclusions: The improper disposal of used insulin needles among travelers can result in potential bloodborne pathogen exposure among airport workers. Occupational NSIs have not previously been described among airport workers. A multilevel approach to prevention is recommended.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181dbc896