The prevalence of nosocomial infection rates and needle sticks injuries at a teaching hospital, during 2013–2014

Introduction Nosocomial infections (NIs) and Needle stick injuries (NSIs) could play an important role in transfer NIs among the health care workers (HCWs). Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the Prevalence of NIs and NSIs in Razi Hospital, Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, during 2013–2014. Materials and methods The present study was a descriptive study, conducted on all the patients who were hospitalized with signs and symptoms of infection after 48 h of hospitalization and 600 HCWs in Razi Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran during 2013–2014. Data about the patients' site of infection, ward of hospitalization, type of NIs and about HCWs type of NSIs, ward, their activity were collected. Data were summarized using descriptive statistical methods and were analyzed by Excel and SPSS 16.0. Results The results of the present study showed that the incidence of NIs were low (NIs < 2%) and 70 cases of NSIs found in this hospital during 2013–2014. The most incidence rates of NIs were reported in wards of obstetrics and gynecological (OBGYN), orthopedic, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), general surgery, infectious diseases, internal medicine and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) during 2013–2014. Based on the findings, recapping the needles was the most risk factor for NSIs. Also the results indicated that nurses were the highest risk of NSIs among other HCWs groups. Conclusion Based on these findings, NIs and NSIs in this hospital had a lower frequency in comparison with the national rates. Training programs related to the prevention of NIs and NSIs would be one of the priorities in the Razi teaching hospital.