The financial cost of sharps injuries

Authors

• Kevin Hambridge, School of Nursing and Midwifery
• Ruth Endacott, School of Nursing and Midwifery
• Andrew Nichols, School of Nursing and Midwifery

ORCID

• Kevin Hambridge: 0000-0002-7809-5025

Abstract

Research into sharps injuries has focused on the volume of incidents and, to a smaller degree, the psychological impact of those incidents. This narrative literature review instead explored the financial cost of sharps injuries as reported by both UK and international studies. This involved a search of 13 electronic databases and grey literature, with no set date limits, in June 2019. Both direct and indirect costs of sharps injuries were identified, indicating the high financial costs of such incidents to healthcare systems across many different countries each year. Further research is urgently needed to address the continued prevalence of sharps injuries and to reduce the associated costs.

DOI Link

10.12968/bjhc.2020.0052

Publication Date

2020-11-02

Publication Title

British Journal of Healthcare Management

Volume

26

Issue

11

ISSN

1358-0574

Acceptance Date

2020-09-11

Embargo Period

2021-08-12

First Page

270

Last Page

274

Recommended Citation

Hambridge, K., Endacott, R., & Nichols, A. (2020) 'The financial cost of sharps injuries', British Journal of Healthcare Management, 26(11), pp. 270-274. Available at: 10.12968/bjhc.2020.0052