Essay On Needle Stick Injuries

Needlestick injuries are injuries due to exposed and improper use of needles or sharps. The ANA in 2010, commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, which improved protection against these injuries that expose health care workers to potentially deadly blood borne pathogens. These injuries, unfortunately, are still occurring today and far too often. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2000, estimated that approximately 62-88 percent of sharps and needlestick injuries are preventable. Health care workers that handle sharp devices or equipment like scalpels, sutures, needles, phlebotomy devices or blood collection devices are all at risk but nurses are at a very high risk for being exposed to these preventable injuries which exposes them to numerous bloodborne pathogens especially deadly viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDs. Needle-stick injuries may occur when disposing needles, collecting and disposing of materials used during patient care procedures, administering injections, drawing blood, or handling trash or dirty linens where needles have been inappropriately discarded. The CDC estimates that over 1,000 hospital-based health practitioner (HP) sustain injuries from contaminated needles and other sharp devices during the delivery of patient care everyday.

Do not manipulate or recap used needles using both hands and any other technique whereby the exposed needle is directed toward any part of the body. If necessary, use of a one-handed "scoop" technique or mechanical recapping device is recommended. Use forceps, suture holders or other instruments and avoid "blind" actions when suturing. Never leave used sharps on a tray, bed, counter, exam table, or other location for someone else to dispose. As soon as possible, do it yourself. Do not disable or circumvent the safety feature on