Needlestick Injuries in the Workplace
Published: 19 March 2023
Published: 19 March 2023
Needlestick injuries have the potential to be devastating events. Despite this, they are almost entirely preventable (Bowden 2001).
In Australia, at least 18,000 healthcare professionals experience a needlestick injury every year (MTAA 2014).
So, how can you protect yourself in the workplace?
A needlestick injury occurs when the skin is accidentally punctured by a sharp medical instrument such as a needle, scalpel or syringe (Healthdirect 2021).
Needlestick injuries are an occupational hazard for healthcare workers as they can lead to the transmission of bloodborne infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C, with the potential for serious complications (King & Strony 2022).
Other infections that can potentially be transmitted via a needlestick injury include malaria, infectious mononucleosis, diphtheria, herpes, tuberculosis and syphilis (MTAA 2014).
Healthcare workers are at increased risk of experiencing needlestick injuries compared to other people because they use and are exposed to needles and other sharp instruments in their day-to-day work (King & Strony 2022).
Needlestick injuries in healthcare can occur during tasks such as:
(MTAA 2014)
It’s important to note that sharps do not need to be freshly contaminated in order to transmit infections; objects carrying dry blood can also lead to disease transmission (MTAA 2014).
Note: The procedure for managing a needlestick injury will vary between workplaces. Always refer to your organisation’s policies and procedures.
If you experience a needlestick injury, you should:
(CDC 2021; Practice Assist 2020; Healthy WA 2018; Health.vic 2015)
Following a needlestick injury incident, both you and the patient from whom the needle or sharp originated will be advised to be tested for HIV, HBV and HCV (Better Health Channel 2014; Practice Assist 2020).
Depending on the results of these tests, as well as your hepatitis B immunisation status, you may be offered hepatitis B immunoglobulin and/or post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (King & Strony 2022).
Note that there is currently no vaccine or post-exposure prophylaxis recommended for exposure to HCV (PCH 2021).
If the source patient of the needle or sharp is negative for these pathogens, no further action usually needs to be taken. If the source patient tests positive for one of these pathogens and you test negative, you may need to undergo repeat testing (Bowden 2001).
Note that each case will require assessment by a medical practitioner for specific and individualised management.
It’s important to note that the overall risk of disease transmission from a needlestick injury is low. However, a needlestick injury can still be a traumatic and stressful experience, and affected individuals may feel anxious about the possibility of contracting a chronic infection (King & Strony 2022).
Bloodborne virus | Risk of infection where the source case has existing infection |
---|---|
HIV | 0.3% |
Hepatitis B | 30% |
Hepatitis C | 3% |
(PCH 2021)
Healthcare workers can reduce the risk and severity of a needlestick injury by:
(CDC 2021; Better Health Channel 2014)
Needlestick injuries are a significant occupational hazard for healthcare staff and can result in physical and psychological distress. However, they are preventable. Preventative measures such as the implementation of safe work practices and the provision of education and training can help reduce incidences.
Question 1 of 5
True or false: The risk of infection from a needlestick injury is high.