Retrospective analysis of sharps injuries among medical students and residents

Background: Medical students and residents are at higher risk of sharps injuries (SIs) as a result of various factors, including the lack of experience, skills, technical expertise and risk perception. SIs place these individuals at higher risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus. There is a wealth of research regarding SIs among health-care workers who are professionals/employees, but not as much among medical students and residents. Aim: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to analyse the various factors and relationships between sharps injuries and medical students/residents at a University in the United States. Methods: The sharps injuries exposure logs of medical students and residents at the University, from 2006 January to September 2018, were analysed using SPSS software. Results: Residents had a higher rate of SIs versus medical students. The prevalence percentage of SIs among residents was 10.99%, whereas 2.22% in medical students. SIs increased with the number of training years among medical students and residents, especially among residents in and after their 5th year. July and September had the highest frequency of SIs. Suture and hollow-bore needles were the most common medical device associated with SIs among medical students and residents, whereas, among the residents, scalpel blades and surgical instruments were also frequently encountered. Conclusion: Medical schools and training hospitals could use this information to formulate plans and policies in the training of medical students and residents to reduce the risk of SIs among these groups.