The use of mercury-based medical devices across Croatian healthcare facilities

5Citations
Citations of this article
20Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

In 2009, we conducted a survey to assess the use of mercury-based thermometers and sphygmomanometers and their disposal in Croatian healthcare facilities. The questionnaire addressing the use of mercury-based medical devices, waste management, preferences between mercury-based and electronic devices, and the knowledge on mercury toxicity was filled by ward nurses affiliated with 40 (71.4 %) out of 56 contacted healthcare facilities. Only one of these facilities had given up the use of mercury-containing medical devices at the time. As many as 84.6 % of the nurses believed that broken devices did not increase the risk of mercury exposure, even though 90 % claimed they were aware of mercury toxicity. In fact, 69.4 % of the nurses preferred mercury-containing devices on account of their precision and reliability and because they received little training in the use of electronic devices.Breaking of thermometers and sphygmomanometers is common in healthcare facilities. The number of broken thermometers and sphygmomanometers was estimated to 278 and five per month, respectively. Only 18 (46.2 %) of the surveyed healthcare facilities claimed to have had a proper disposal procedure for mercury from broken devices. Nurses, who most often handle these devices and collect mercury spills, are primarily exposed to mercury vapours via inhalation. Croatia has adopted the EU Directive 76/769/EEC intended to reduce mercury exposure in the living and working environment. Our survey suggests that all healthcare professionals need training in proper management of broken mercury-based medical devices, nurses in particular. To reduce the risk of exposure, all Croatian healthcare facilities should implement guidelines for staff protection and programmes to gradually replace mercury-based with electronic devices.

References Powered by Scopus

Elemental mercury spills

151Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding handling mercury containing medical devices among nurses in a tertiary care paediatric hospital in Sri Lanka

4Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Characteristics and risk assessments of mercury pollution levels at domestic garbage collection points distributed within the main urban areas of changchun city

3Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Perception and Knowledge of Mercury by Occupationally Exposed Health Care Personnel

2Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Janev Holcer, N., Maričević, M., & Miočić-Juran, A. (2012). The use of mercury-based medical devices across Croatian healthcare facilities. Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 63(1), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2162

Readers over time

‘12‘14‘16‘17‘18‘20‘21‘22‘2301234

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 10

91%

Researcher 1

9%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 9

69%

Engineering 2

15%

Computer Science 1

8%

Nursing and Health Professions 1

8%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free
0