What risks do these injuries pose, and what’s the best way to treat and avoid them?
What to Do If You Experience a Sharps Injury
First, don’t panic.
Know that it’s OK.
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This situation usually turns out just fine if you follow up, as needed, with a medical provider.
There were 58 known workplace transmissions of HIV and 150 suspected cases of HIV due to workplace exposures.
It’s important to follow up with medical care immediately if there has been an exposure.
or non-intact skin (cuts, abrasions, sores, burns).
Why Do you should probably Immediately Seek Medical Treatment?
This can mean a daily medication for HIV, or a vaccination and immunoglobulin injection for Hepatitis B.
For HIV exposure, these drugs only need to be taken for 4 weeks (28 days).
But it’s important that this daily treatment is started as soon as possible.
Do All Splashes and Needlesticks Need Treatment?
This will depend on where you are and what the exposure was.
c’mon talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Likewise, not all body fluids transmit all infections.
Likewise, being scratched also doesn’t spread HIV if there is no contact with HIV+ blood.
Also, the good news is that needles do not remain infectious for long.
Are Only Nurses at Risk?
Most Needlesticks and Sharps Injuries affect nurses and doctors.
However, some injuries affect those who are not medical professionals.
It’s important to always stay safe when there are needles, scalpels, or blades around.
A child may attempt to reach into an overfilled sharps box to pick up a shiny needle.
A groundskeeper in a park may be pricked by aneedleleft on the ground.
A police officer or a corrections officer may be injured by someone with a bloody needle or knife.
Someone else may worry about their risk because their spouse is a nurse who has had a needlestick.
In some places, health facilities are not in line with Infection Prevention and Control.
This is one reason for thespread of HepatitisC worldwide.
There are times when needles are reused.
Sometimes IV fluids or IV tubing are reused.
Other times reusable devices are not fully decontaminated between usages.
Reuse of needles in any form after use in a patient can lead to spreading infections.
There’s a risk in using a needle.
Every time you use one it can risk a needlestick.
In general, only use needles when well trained to do so and when it’s necessary.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stop Sticks campaign.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV occupational transmission.
