An exploration of sharps injuries within healthcare students at a UK university.

Background: There is evidence available worldwide that nursing, medical and dental students sustain sharps injuries during their programmes of study. However, there is lack of evidence and research relating to the many students of other healthcare professions who may encounter sharps instruments.

Aim/objective: The aim of the study was to identify the extent, type and impact of sharps injuries sustained by pre-registration healthcare students.

Methods: An online survey was administered to 3372 healthcare students at a University in the United Kingdom.

Findings/results: Some healthcare students other than nursing, medical and dentistry had sustained a sharps injury. The most common device involved were glass ampoules. The common causes were equipment and carelessness. Some healthcare students sustained psychological impacts following the sharps injury.

Discussion: Sharps injuries are common amongst some healthcare students and there is scope for more education for these groups of students relating to the risks, safe handling, reporting and prevention of sharps injuries.