The cost of needlestick injuries associated with insulin administration.

Abstract

The administration of insulin by a carer or healthcare professional is associated with a risk of needlestick injury. Such injuries create a burden for carers and professionals in terms of anxiety, stress and morbidity as well as the NHS in terms of lost productivity, treatment costs and litigation. This study estimates the economic burden of these injuries to the NHS in the UK based on published estimates of the incidence and cost of needlestick injuries. The findings suggest that such injuries cost the NHS approximately 600,000 pounds sterling per annum. Many of these injuries and their associated costs could be avoided through increased adoption of safety devices. Indeed, evidence suggests that the increased acquisition cost of safety devices could be more than offset by savings resulting from the reduced incidence of needlestick injuries. Trusts are encouraged to implement improved monitoring and surveillance procedures to inform the debate on the appropriate use of safety devices.

• Authors: Paul Trueman, Matthew Taylor, Nicole Twena, Barrie Chubb
• Journal: British journal of community nursing (Br J Community Nurs) Vol. 13 Issue 9 Pg. 413-7 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 1462-4753 [Print] England
• PMID: 19024036 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Insulin

Topics

• Cost of Illness
• Diabetes Mellitus (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous (adverse effects)
• Insulin (administration & dosage)
• Needlestick Injuries (economics, prevention & control)
• Nurses
• Self Care (statistics & numerical data)
• State Medicine
• United Kingdom (epidemiology)