British hospitals see steady increase in accidents
Hospital Safety Connection, May 9, 2003
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The number of UK National Health Service (NHS) staff injured in accidents at work every year increased by a quarter to more than 135,000 as hospitals fail to reduce the toll, Reuters reports.
Accidents in hospitals and ambulance trusts increased by 24% in the 12-month period leading up to March 2002, despite a governmental call for a 20% reduction, according to the National Audit Office on April 30.
Only 23% of NHS trusts reduced accidents by 20% or more, with 64% reporting an increase. Most accidents were the result of moving and handling patients, needlestick injuries, falls, and exposure to hazardous substances, but work-related stress also emerged as a serious issue.
The report estimates that direct costs of these accidents are at least $276 million, but notes that true costs are substantially more once staff replacement costs, treatment costs, and court compensations are taken into account. The NHS employs more than 1 million people, but still struggles with staff shortages.
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