Versnipperde infrastructuur voor afhandeling van prikaccidenten in Nederland

Objective

To determine how needle-stick injuries are dealt with in the Netherlands.

Design

Study using questionnaires.

Method

In order to study whether victims of needle-stick injuries have access to proper treatment, we sent questionnaires to hospitals (n = 103) and Municipal Health Services (MHS) (n = 36) in the Netherlands. We enquired after the possibilities of risk-estimation and follow-up, the performance of necessary laboratory tests, direct administration of preventive medication and backup facilities.

Results

Questionnaires were returned by 113 (81) institutions. 74 of the hospitals and 71 of the MHS provided follow-up for needle-stick injuries from outside their own institution. Necessary laboratory tests were not always available or sometimes could not be performed on an immediate basis. In addition, essential medication was not always directly available. MHS recognized the advantage of cooperation during follow-up of needle-stick injuries more than hospitals.

Conclusion

Based on the results there is no guarantee that victims of needle-stick injuries in the Netherlands have access to appropriate care at any location in the Netherlands on a 24/7 basis. We recommend improvement of the infrastructure and cooperation between health care organizations to guarantee improved follow-up in every region.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008;152:1981-5