BMJ  2008;336:1031 (10 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39548.418009.80

Editorials

Scalpel injuries in the operating theatre

International evidence based guidelines are needed to standardise approaches to reducing risk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Despite recognition of the need to reduce injuries from sharp instruments in healthcare settings, the focus has been more on reducing needlestick injuries than on other causes of injury, such as those caused by scalpel blades in operating theatres.

The operating theatre is a unique environment in which many healthcare professionals work in close proximity, often over long periods, and often under emergency conditions. This environment increases the chances of healthcare workers sustaining serious injuries from scalpel blades.

Scalpel injuries represent a multi-faceted risk as they cause mechanical injury and expose both the injured worker and the patient to the risk of contracting blood borne infection. The sequelae of scalpel injuries are time consuming, emotionally fraught, and potentially expensive for the people and institutions involved.

Data on the number of percutaneous injuries sustained by healthcare workers as a result of scalpels are scarce. A quarter of all percutaneous injuries are . . . [Full text of this article]

Amber M Watt, research officer1, Michael Patkin, lecturer2, Michael J Sinnott, senior staff specialist in emergency medicine3, Robert J Black, otolaryngology head and neck surgeon 4, Guy J Maddern, surgical director1

1 Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures—Surgical (ASERNIP-S), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Stepney SA 5069, Australia, 2 Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia, 3 Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba QLD 4102, Australia , 4 Mater Hospital, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia

asernips@surgeons.org


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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Naghavi, S. H. R., Sanati, K. A. (2009). Accidental blood and body fluid exposure among doctors. Occup Med (Lond) 59: 101-106 [Abstract] [Full text]  

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Scalpel injuries in the operating theatre
Mark D Stringer
bmj.com, 20 May 2008 [Full text]
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