Analysis of Occupational Injuries and Bloodborne Pathogens in Nursing

This nursing assignment addresses the critical clinical issue of occupational injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens in healthcare settings, focusing on the risks faced by nursing professionals. The report begins with an overview of the problem, highlighting percutaneous injuries from sharp objects as a primary cause of Hepatitis B, HIV, and other bloodborne pathogen transmissions. It presents a PICOT question to guide the analysis: 'Do sharp or occupational injuries increase bloodborne infections compared to other hazards?' The assignment includes a literature evaluation table, summarizing both qualitative and quantitative research articles from PubMed (last five years). The selected studies, conducted in various locations, investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and incidence of sharp injuries and bloodborne infections among healthcare workers. Key findings from these studies emphasize the importance of awareness, proper healthcare professional-to-patient ratios, training, and personal protective equipment to mitigate workplace hazards and reduce the risk of infection. The report concludes by synthesizing the research findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue and its implications for nursing practice.