More than 9 in 10 surgeons encounter a needlestick injury
- Global survey of 510 surgeons is first of its kind;
- 81% believe high quality gloves impact patient outcomes;
- 92% agreed that high quality gloves improve safety of clinicians;
- Survey demonstrates importance surgeons place on high quality gloves in protecting against infection and patient safety;
95% of surgeons have either been personally affected by a needlestick injury or have seen a colleague experience one, a new global survey has found, increasing their risk of infection. The survey – the first of its kind undertaken – was conducted by SERMO for Mölnlycke®, a world-leading medical solutions company.
The survey looked at key opinions from 510 surgeons across six countries relating to infection prevention and the role of high quality gloves in improving patient and clinician safety. In particular, it demonstrated the importance that surgeons place on high quality gloves in the fight against needlestick injuries and exposure to blood-borne viruses, like HIV.
Clinician safety
An estimated two million needlestick injuries occur among health workers each year, resulting in increased exposure to HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne viruses
The survey revealed that 93% of surgeons think that high quality gloves reduce the chance of exposure to blood-borne viruses and 83% said that the quality of gloves affects their sense of being protected from needlestick injuries.
Patient safety
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are the most frequent adverse event in healthcare delivery worldwide
On the topic of patient safety, 81% of surgeons believe that high quality gloves impact overall patient outcomes and 89% agreed that high quality gloves improve patient safety in the operating theatre.
When asked about glove failure during an operation, 78% of surgeons responded that it increases the risk of surgical site infections.
Commenting on the survey findings, John Timmons, Clinical Staff Nurse and International Medical Director, said:
“Each year, millions of surgeons and their teams risk exposure to life threatening blood-borne viruses and this ground-breaking survey highlights the value that surgeons across the globe place on high quality gloves. Surgeons clearly recognise their role in both ensuring the safety of surgeons and improving outcomes for patients.
“Surgical gloves are one of the key factors that prevent infections in the operating room and should not be viewed as a commodity. High quality means fewer glove failures, yet we are increasingly seeing healthcare systems around the world prioritise price over quality.”
![Surgeons in the operating room removing gowns](/globalassets/micro-sites/indure/biogel-hand-procedure.jpg?w=480)
A survey has found that needlestick injuries are far more common than previously thought. In April 2019, Mölnlycke® commissioned a first of its kind survey from SERMO, the largest global social network for physicians.
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