Mrs Rozina Kabani1
1Westmead Private Hospital, Westmead, Australia
Patient and Staff safety has been paramount in the healthcare industry. The risk of occupational exposure is the greatest in a healthcare environment. There was an increasing trend of sharps occupational exposures in staff noted at a major acute care hospital. Although the management process for occupational exposures was thorough, the cause of the increasing trend was unknown. The aim was to find the cause of the occupational exposures and implement appropriate interventions in place to eliminate the controllable incidents.
To understand the cause of the increasing trend in sharps occupational exposures, a root cause analysis was created. The incidents were thoroughly investigated as soon as it was reported. The trend portrayed the occurrence of these incidents mainly among nurses, doctors, and registrars in operating theatres. The causes of the incidents were mainly due to staff not being vigilant or following the organization’s policies as there was a lack of understanding of the consequences of the occupational exposures and associated Blood Borne Viruses. An education drive in Operating Theatres was conducted to enhance the staff’s understanding of why occupational exposures were a concern and a priority.
The poster includes statistics, trends, customized root cause analysis survey, and educational tools that assist in spreading awareness of occupational exposures. The data has been consistently presented in relevant risk management & infection prevention control committees. We continue to monitor and investigate the trends followed by individual education sessions as they encounter. We hope to see a bend curve in the months to come.
Biography: My name is Rozina and have worked as Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator since 2017. I have a keen interest in few components of IPC including staff safety, AMS and HAI. I enjoy networking and learning everyday so come and say a hi.