Analysis of factors associated with needlestick injuries of clinical nurses by applying a human factor analysis and classification system: A nationwide cross‐sectional survey

AIMS: This study aims to investigate the current situation of needlestick injuries (NSIs) of clinical nurses and identify associated factors by using the theoretical framework of the human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS). DESIGN: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted. METHODS: Multi-stage sampling was used to investigate 3336 nurses in 14 Chinese hospitals. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to reveal the rate of NSIs and their associated factors. RESULTS: A total of 970 nurses (29.1%) reported having experienced at least one NSI in the past year. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that good hospital safety climate and clinical nurses in intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department had protective effects against NSIs compared with nurses in internal medicine department. The nurse, senior nurse, and nurse in charge have significantly increased the risk for NSIs compared with the associate chief nurse or above. Patients with poor vision but wearing glasses and poor vision but not wearing glasses were more prone to have NSIs. Working in the operating room compared with internal medicine, average weekly working time of >45 h compared with ≤40 h and poor general health led to increased risk of NSIs. CONCLUSION: The rate of NSIs in clinical nurses was high in China. Individual factors including professional title, department, visual acuity and general mental health and organisational factors including weekly working hours and hospital safety atmosphere were significantly correlated with the occurrence of NSIs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nursing managers should focused on physical and psychological conditions of clinical nurses, and organisational support is required to enhance the hospital safety atmosphere. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Contributions from patients or the public are irrelevant because this study aims to explore current situation and factors associated with NSIs in clinical nurses.