Unveiling the Startling Spike in Animal-Related Injuries at Veterinary Centers

A study aimed to characterize animal-related injuries among veterinary medical center staff, shedding light on crucial trends to enhance workplace safety. Researchers analyzed 706 hospital staff injuries, this research delves into injury reports submitted to Human Resources between 2008 and 2022. Data include injury descriptions, dates, occupations, and worker’s compensation details. The research methodology involves summarizing data by year, identifying causes of injury, calculating total injury costs, and categorizing injuries based on occupation.

Recent years have seen a notable rise in reported injuries, predominantly involving bites, particularly on the hand, finger, and wrist. Bite injuries incurred higher average worker’s compensation costs than striking injuries. Novice staff reported more injuries, with a surge during summer months. Interestingly, there was no unusual trend in injuries reported due to COVID-19. Other incidents (needlesticks and falls) were documented from 2019 to 2022, posing a significant burden.

According to the study, the average total amount paid for an injury that occurred to the hand, finger, and wrist area was $672.93 (SD, $2,545.50), with the highest amount paid out being $27,327.22. The average total amount paid to a staff member for a bite injury was $764.38 (SD, $3,099.53), with the highest amount paid out being $27,327.22. The average total amount paid to a staff member reporting an injury caused by a striking event was $474.01 (SD, $1,078.33), with the highest amount paid out being $7,753.60. The average total amount paid to staff who had an injury unrelated to an animal was $2,007.51 (SD, $8,474.10), with the maximum paid out being $77,367.58.

These findings hold paramount importance for teaching hospitals and veterinary clinics, offering insights to cultivate safer work environments. Identifying work hazards becomes key, urging stakeholders to implement proper training and preventive measures, especially for less experienced staff. By doing so, teaching hospitals can curtail worker’s compensation costs and minimize staff absenteeism, ultimately fostering a more secure workplace.

Check out the full study here: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.23.08.0477/javma.23.08.0477.xml