Needlestick Injuries: A guide for safe needle handling

Needlestick Injuries

A guide for safe needle handling

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Needlesticks

Needlestick injuries are a serious occupational hazard for healthcare workers. Needlesticks are mostly caused by needle points but injuries

from other medical sharps (e.g. scalpels) are also considered needlestick injuries.

Although the wound from a needlestick is small and easily cared for, needlestick injuries have a high risk of infection.

Never downplay a needlestick injury. Always report them and seek immediate medical attention.

A Common Problem

How big of an issue are needlestick injuries? How big of an issue are needlestick injuries? Consider the following:Consider the following:

According to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 occupational needlesticks occur each year in healthcare workers. (Infection Control Resource, 2010)

According to one CDC study, 18% of needlestick/sharps injuries reported were from a phlebotomy procedure.

Treatment for a needlestick injury is estimated at about $2,500 (mostly due to disease screening and testing).

The Risks from Needlestick Injuries

According to data from Estimates by Medical Care Data International, accidental needlesticks account for 80% of all occupationally acquired diseases.

The transmission of blood-borne diseases is an area of great concern.

Studies indicate that needlestick injuries are responsible for several serious infections worldwide: 66,000 with HBV 16,000 with HCV 1,000 with HIV

When do Needlesticks Occur?

Needlesticks tend to occur:During a procedure (e.g. drawing blood or

administering medicine)While recapping needlesWhen disposing of needlesDuring surgery

Needle Safety for Procedures

While a steady hand and a cooperative patient are an ideal setting for avoiding a needlestick injury, accidents can happen.

Study and follow procedure guidelines to the letter.

Offset your risk with the best needle safety devices. Only use needles with engineered sharps protection.

Engineered Sharps Protection

The Monoject needles from MarketLab reduce needlestick injuries through specialized design.

Monoject safety needles have one-handed safety activation and are available in a variety of gauges.

Capping Needles

Needles that have been in contact with tissues or fluids should never be recapped.

When recapping or uncapping needles, only use one hand to reduce the risk of needlesticks.

Needle Caps and Protection

Needle-Pro® sheaths are unique from ordinary needle caps. They stay attached to the syringe and be used to cover a needle immediately following a procedure.

Disposable needle guards completely shield a needle in a leak resistant grip until it can be properly disposed of.

Needle Disposal

Everyday trashcans are not safe for needle disposal.

Needle disposal bins should be: Puncture-proof Leak-proof Non-reusable Closable Clearly labeled

Never rearrange or compact the contents of a needle bin. Dispose of needle bins before they become full.

Needlestick During Surgery

Surgical equipment typically employs a variety of sharp instruments.

Because of the intricate technique it requires, suturing poses a notable risk for needle stick.

Never use a needle holder that rotates or slips when suturing. Tungsten-carbide needle holders provide the strongest,

no-slip grip possible.

Treating a Needlestick Injury

The wounds caused by needlestick injury are usually non-emergencies that can be easily treated.

Wash the affected area soap and water.

Report your needlestick injury immediately. If the needle or sharp that caused the injury was previously in contact with potentially infectious material at anytime, you will need to be tested for infection. You may also require vaccination. A common myth is that one should “milk out” as much blood as

possible from a needlestick in order to prevent infection. However, the CDC advises against this.

Proper Procedure

Always follow the safety practices set by your workplace.

Keep your training current for all procedures using needles and sharp devices.

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