Needle stick injuries in Gauteng hospitals on the increase: DA
Medical staff in Gauteng’s public hospitals are suffering a “worrying” increase in the number of needle stick injuries‚ the Democratic Alliance’s Jack Bloom said. According to a written reply to Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng Legislature‚ the province’s health MEC Qedani Mahlangu said there had been 2330 such injuries in the past three years – 685 in 2012‚ 807 in 2013 and 838 in 2014.“The highest number of needle stick injuries last year occurred at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital‚ which recorded 252 injuries‚ followed by Steve Biko Hospital (154 injuries)‚ Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg (100)‚ Ann Latsky Nursing College (66) and Kalafong (48)‚” Bloom said.Eight hospitals - Pretoria West‚ Weskoppies‚ Cullinan‚ Sizwe‚ Kopanong‚ Sebokeng‚ Tambo Memorial and Heidelberg - reported no injuries in 2014.Bloom called for more use to be made of “safety needles and special training to ensure that needle injuries are minimised as much as possible”.As there is a high risk of HIV/Aids exposure with needle stick injuries‚ said Bloom‚ a 28-day antiretroviral course‚ “which is often unpleasant and debilitating”‚ is prescribed.“I am concerned that no formal survey has been done to determine the causes of the high number of needle injuries‚ but the department says there are plans to do this‚” he said...
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