NEEDLESTICK: What is the sharps injury rate in hospitals?

FINDINGS: 21.37 percutaneous injuries per 100 average daily census from EPINet – 2013

These data are from the International Safety Center, in a survey report called the Exposure Prevention Information Network, or EPINet.  This reporting system was established in 1992 and is distributed to over 1,500 U.S. hospitals.  However, the number of hospitals reporting is much smaller – about 25 U.S. hospitals, per telephone call to the ISC, 434.962.3470 (on 2/24/16).

Source: International Safety Center (no date, 2014?). EPINet report for needlestick and sharp object injuries.  Click here: https://internationalsafetycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Official-2013-NeedleSummary.pdf

FINDINGS: 16.5 sharps injuries per 100 licensed hospital beds in MASSACHUSETTS – 2012

The State of Massachusetts requires hospitals to report their annual sharps injury rates.  Here are the most current data – for 2012:

 

Type of Hospital	Rate of Sharps Injuries per 100 Licensed Beds
Small (less than 100 beds)	14.0
Medium (101-300 beds)	10.3
Large (greater than 300 beds)	26.6
All hospitals	16.5
Teaching	27.7
Non-teaching	9.7

Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Surveillance Program. (2014, Aug.). Sharps injuries among hospital workers in Massachusetts: Findings from the Massachusetts Sharps Injury Surveillance System, 2012.  Click here: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/occupational-health/injuries/injuries-hospital-2012.pdf  Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org