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What Every Worker Should Know
How to Protect Yourself From Needlestick
Injuries
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2000-135 |
What infections can be caused by
needlestick injuries? Needlestick injuries can expose workers to a number of bloodborne pathogens that can cause
serious or fatal infections. The pathogens that pose the most serious health risks are
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -- the virus that causes AIDS
HBV vaccination is recommended for all health care workers (unless they are
immune because of previous exposure). HBV vaccine has proved highly effective in preventing infection in workers exposed to HBV.
However, no vaccine exists to prevent HCV or HIV infection.
Preventing
needlestick injuries is the best way to protect yourself from these infections. |
Who is at risk of needlestick injury? Any worker who
may come in contact with needles is at risk, including nursing staff, lab workers, doctors, and housekeepers.
How common are needlestick injuries among health care workers?
Estimates indicate that 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injuries occur each year. Unfortunately, about half of
these injuries are not reported. Always report needlestick injuries to your employer to ensure that you receive appropriate
followup care.
What kinds of needles usually cause needlestick injuries?
- Hypodermic needles
- Blood collection needles
- Suture needles
- Needles used in IV delivery systems
Needlestick injuries can lead to serious or
fatal infections. Health care workers who use or may be exposed to needles are at increased risk of needlestick injury. All
workers who are at risk should take steps to protect themselves from this significant health hazard. |
Do certain work practices increase the risk of needlestick
injury? Yes. Past studies have shown that needlestick injuries are often associated with these
activities:
- Recapping needles
- Transferring a body fluid between containers
- Failing to dispose of used needles properly in puncture-resistant sharps
containers
How can I protect myself from needlestick injuries?
- Avoid the use of needles
where safe and effective alternatives are available.
- Help your employer select and evaluate devices with safety features that
reduce the risk of needlestick injury.
- Use devices with safety features provided by your employer.
- Avoid recapping needles.
- Plan for safe handling and disposal of needles before using them.
- Promptly dispose of used needles in appropriate sharps disposal
containers.
- Report all needlestick and sharps-related injuries promptly to ensure that
you receive appropriate followup care.
- Tell your employer about any needlestick hazards you observe.
- Participate in training related to infection prevention.
- Get a hepatitis B vaccination.
For additional information, see NIOSH Alert: Preventing
Needlestick Injuries in Health Care Settings [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2000-108]. Single copies of the Alert are available from the following:
NIOSH-Publications Dissemination 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, OH
45226-1998 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) Fax: 513-355-8573 E-mail:
pubstaft@cdc.gov
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DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2000-135
To receive
other information about occupational safety and health problems, call 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674), or visit the NIOSH Home
Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
This page was last updated on September 13, 2000
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