Purpose: This evidence-based project aims to determine if, through the utilization of new technology and multimodal educational tools, nursing confidence could be boosted in an effort to reduce the occurrence of needle stick injuries (NSI), particularly among new to practice nurses, in the workplace.
Relevance/significance: As new-to-practice nurses, two of the four members of our group had experienced unintentional needlesticks within the first six months of working. As a whole, we were surprised by this rate of occurrence and were interested in learning more about nurses, needlesticks, and the role that education can play in preventing unintentional needlesticks. Our literature review further illuminated the rates at which (new) nurses were subject to needlesticks and the importance of education to prevent this.
Strategy/implementation/methods: Utilizing an innovative participant engagement software, "Nearpod," a self-paced needlestick prevention education module was created. The module included information on current needlestick rates, common reasons for needlestick, and embedded videos and visual aids to educate on proper needlestick prevention. An email was sent regarding "why" information and by what means data was being collected, including an anonymity option for users. 29 registered nurses from a medical-surgical and PCU unit completed the education module and electronic four-question post-survey. The survey assessed nurses' personal history of NSI, prior education, and self-perceived confidence post-education.
Evaluation/outcomes/results: Results showed that 41.4% of participants had experienced an unintentional needlestick injury (UNSI) in their career. 79.3% of survey respondents reported receiving prior education about sharps and prevention of needlesticks. 93.1% of respondents reported increased self-confidence in their ability to prevent unintentional needlestick injuries in the future. Future plans include taking this research project to the organization for evaluation and possible collaboration with the professional development department in bolstering and creating further education on needlestick prevention to be included in nursing orientation for new nurses.
Conclusions/implications: Implementing UNSI education as part of the orientation process and presenting the education to the sharps committee is crucial. Literature states the direct cost of UNSI is between $650-750 (Euro & US), the potential cost-savings to our organization is motivation enough to continue NSI education.
Evidence-based references
1. Askarian, Mehrdad, and Leila Malekmakan. “The Prevalence of Needle Stick Injuries in Medical, Dental, Nursing and Midwifery Students at the University Teaching Hospitals of Shiraz, Iran.” Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 60, no. 6, June 2006, pp. 227–232., https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5359.25904.
2. Kwanzaa CS, Clarke K, Ramlal C, Singh R, Ocho ON. Factors contributing to needle stick injuries among new registered nurses at a hospital in Trinidad. Infect Dis Health. 2020 Nov;25(4):294-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2020.06.003. Epub 2020 Aug 13. PMID: 32800598.
3. Mannocci, A., De Carli, G., DiBari, V., Saulle, R., Unim, B., Nicolotti, N., Carbonari, L., Puro, V., & La Torre, G. (2016). How Much Do Needlestick Injuries Cost? A Systematic Review of the Economical Evaluations of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries Among Healthcare Personnel. Infection Control and hospital epidemiology, 37(6), 635-646. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2016.48
4. Wu, S.-H., Huang, C.-C., Huang, S.-S., Yang, Y.-Y., Liu, C.-W., Shulruf, B., & Chen, C.-H. (2020). Effects of virtual reality training on decreasing the rates of Needlestick or Sharp injury IN new-coming medical and NURSING interns in Taiwan. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 17, 1. https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2020.17.1