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Needlestick Injuries are Preventable						Print
																Related Pages
										Medical waste container inside a hospitalPromptly disposing of used needles in appropriate sharps disposal containers is one way you can help prevent needlestick injuries.
**Healthcare personnel who use or may be exposed to needles are at increased risk of needlestick injury. Needlestick injuries can lead to serious or fatal infections with bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or HIV. Learn more about how to protect yourself and your coworkers from needlestick injuries.**
Any worker who may come in contact with needles is at risk, including nursing staff, lab workers, doctors, and housekeepers. Whenever a needle or other sharp device is exposed, injuries can occur. Certain work practices may increase the risk of needlestick injury. Studies have shown that needlestick injuries are often associated with:
Not using safety-engineered sharps or using them incorrectly
Recapping needles
Transferring a body fluid between containers
Failing to dispose of used needles properly in puncture-resistant sharps containers**Prevent needlestick injuries**
Needlestick injuries can be avoided by eliminating the unnecessary use of needles, using devices with safety features, and promoting education and safe work practices for handling needles and related systems.
As a healthcare professional, you can protect yourself from a needlestick injury by:
Avoiding the use of needles where safe and effective alternatives are available
Helping your employer select and evaluate devices with safety features that reduce the risk of needlestick injury
Using devices with safety features provided by your employer
Avoiding recapping needles
Planning for safe handling and disposal of needles before using them
Promptly disposing of used needles in conveniently placed and appropriate sharps disposal containers
Reporting all needlestick and sharps-related injuries promptly to ensure that you receive appropriate follow-up care
Telling your employer about any needlestick hazards you observe and promptly reporting any needlesticks and near-misses
Participating in training related to infection prevention
Getting a hepatitis B vaccination**What****to do if you experience a needlestick injury**
If you experienced a needlestick injury or were exposed to the blood or other body fluid of a patient during the course of your work, **immediately follow these steps**:
Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water
Flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water
Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants
Report the incident to your supervisor
Immediately seek medical treatmentMore InformationWhat every worker should know: How to protect yourself from needlestick injuries(also available in Spanish)
Preventing needlesticks in healthcare settings (also available in Spanish)
Preventing needlesticks and sharps injuries
NORA stop sticks campaign
Emergency Sharps Information
OSHA Bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention
OSHA requirements for documenting a needlestick injury
OSHA Poster: Keeping workers safe at COVID-19 vaccinations sites (also available in Spanish)Top of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  February 1, 2021						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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