International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press

Authors: Bolcato, Vittorio | Basile, Giuseppe | Bianco Prevot, Luca | Fassina, Giovanni | Rapuano, Silvia | Brizioli, Enrico | Tronconi, Livio P.

Article Type: Article Commentary

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The ruling n. 38485, 20 June 2019, of the Italian Supreme Court, III criminal section, addressed by the perspective of the law the very sensitive and new issue of telemedicine. OBJECTIVE: This commentary deals with the issue of authorization of telemedicine activities by the health authority, starting from the Italian Court of Criminal Cassation, III section, decision n. 38485/2019. The case law explored the authorization of a health point, which carries out telemedicine services. METHODS: Starting from the perspective discussed by Italian health regulations, the paper examines how the health act could be defined, with …the possibilities offered by telecommunications, and how it now relates legally to the physical place where it takes place. RESULTS: Even if telemedicine opens the way to virtual spaces of health practice, the Ministry of Health Italian Guidelines pose functional and logistical issues to guarantee users’ safety and health care system accountability. Then, functional requirements for health legitimate practice, and their continuous monitoring, together with the responsibilities of the service centers, health professionals and health facilities, are discussed. CONCLUSION: The questioning of States’ health law, in a broad health system such as that of the Europe, characterized by autonomous health regulations, is extremely important for cross-border health policy with telemedicine, as overall regulatory compliance in health care is the ground criterion for risk prevention and patient safety, to be properly verified. Show more

Keywords: Telemedicine, risk management, authorization, health services, remote follow-up, health law, medico-legal

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-240004

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Kiddeer, Muhammad | Basit, Abdul | Ahmad, Tawseef | Masood, Imran

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers face a high risk of blood-borne infections due to needlestick injuries, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of needlestick injuries, reporting practices, and post-exposure prophylaxis measures among healthcare personnel in tertiary care hospitals in Punjab. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2019. Data were collected from healthcare personnel working in teaching hospitals across six randomly selected cities of Punjab. Data were collected from 600 healthcare personnel using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire, employing stratified random sampling to ensure representative sampling. Descriptive statistics …were applied, and differences in needlestick injuries across demographic segments were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. RESULTS: Among the 600 respondents, 533 returned the complete questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 88.8%. The majority of respondents were female (n = 341, 64.2%). The mean years of service was 5.58 (±5.78), with most participants falling in the 0.5–5 years category (n = 338, 66.4%). The prevalence of self-reported needlestick injuries in the last six months was 35.25%. Most injuries occurred during sampling (n = 95, 35.85%), followed by recapping (n = 63, 23.77%). Reporting of needlestick injuries to the respective department was poor, with only 82 (21.87%) injuries reported. The frequency of needlestick injuries differed significantly across profession, working department, and education categories (p < 0.05). Sanitary staff were more likely to sustain needlestick injuries during garbage collection and waste handling. Post-exposure screening for blood-borne infections was received by 79 (42.93%) individuals, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was administered to 67 (36.41%). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of needlestick injuries among healthcare personnel occurred primarily during sampling and recapping. Reporting of NSIs was inadequate, and post-exposure testing and prophylaxis practices were substandard. Enhanced policies and protocols are necessary for effective NSI surveillance and the administration of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. Show more

Keywords: Needle stick injuries, reporting, serological testing, post-exposure prophylaxis

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-240010

Citation: International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024