Injuries on duty at Klerksdorp/Tshepong/Potchefstroom Hospital Complex

Abstract

Background: The hospital as an organisation employs many people who may be at risk for Injuries on Duty (IOD). Although IOD occur across the hospital and impact on staff morale and quality of care, no formal study has been conducted within the public hospitals in South Africa on the profile of employees who have sustained these injuries. This study was aimed at comprehensively describing the IOD and related factors at Klerksdorp/Tshepong/Potchefstroom (K/T/P) Hospital Complex in order to better understand and plan appropriate preventive strategies. Methodology: The study was based on a cross-sectional design involving retrospective record review obtained from the hospital information system. No primary data was collected. The study setting was K/T/P Hospital complex. All records of employees who sustained IOD during the study period were reviewed. Data was collected on relevant variables such as employee profile, type of IOD during the study period. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. Results: The study found that the total number of IOD during this period was 152. The annual prevalence rate was 2.3% (Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex) and 2.8% (Potchefstroom Hospital). . The category of employees who experienced injuries were administration (5.3%), support (18.8%), medical (34.9%), nursing (36.2%), professional (4.6%). The types of the injuries sustained were cut (8.6%), fall (19.7%), minor injuries (9.2%), needle prick (49.3%), patient related (1.3%), splash (11.8%). With regard to PEP costs, Klerksdorp Hospital incurred the highest costs of R31 231 34, followed by Potchefstroom Hospital with R23 714 83 and Tshepong Hospital with R19 305 57 during the study period