Sharps Injuries - Needlesticks

We hope you will enjoy this review of safety materials produced for All Creatures Animal Hospital. This element of the campaign concerns the physical hazard of sharps injuries.

Concerning your Safety
Sharps Injuries - Needlesticks

An informational poster is available for download: NeedlesticksPoster.PDF (156 KB).



What are needlesticks? Why should I be concerned?

Of injuries endured by health care workers, one considered to be the most common are “needlestick” injuries (a sharps injury), or commonly referred to as “needlesticks” (1). A needlestick is defined as a “penetrating stab wound from a needle that may result in exposure to blood or body fluids. (2)”

Needlesticks have been considered under-reported in both human and veterinary medicine (2). In a 2009 survey of 226 veterinary technicians, 93% reported to have had at least one needlestick injury in their career (3).

Although needlesticks in veterinary medicine do not include transmission of such diseases as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B & C, health concerns do include:

• Infections
• Physical trauma
• Severe lacerations, in cases of animal movement during the injection (1).

There is also risk for exposure to substances, such as anesthetics, euthanasia, chemotherapeutics, and vaccines (e.g. live attenuated strains), which can cause disease and extensive systemic issues in humans.

In 2000, the Needle Safety and Prevention Act was passed in the US to address needlestick-related injuries. It estimated that 62 to 88% of sharps injuries could have been possibly averted through using safer medical devices (4). A study by Italian researchers showed:

• 74% of injuries were due to incorrect needle handling by a health care worker
• 24% of remaining injuries could have been avoided through use of safety devices (5).

Safety devices include:

• Retractable & resheathable winged steel needles – retracting the needle into a protective sheath after use
• Bluntable needles (butterfly-type needles) or blunt needles
• Hinged recapping sheaths - sheath is enclosed over needle after withdrawal
• Needleless IV systems (1).

The use of safety devices was associated with a 74% reduction in needlesticks when collecting blood (1).


What can I do to prevent needlestick injuries?

The below steps can help prevent needlestick injuries:

• Do not walk around with an uncapped needle.
• Do not uncap needles with your mouth.
• Place sharps disposal containers in all areas where needles may be used.
• Dispose needles into sharps disposal containers immediately after use, and never use a temporary or unapproved disposal container.
• Do not overfill sharps disposal containers beyond their fill limit.
• Do not remove materials from a sharps disposal container.
• Avoid recapping needles.
• Educate all staff and volunteers on proper handling and disposal of sharps and needles.
• Report all sharps injuries and information regarding any contributing circumstances (1).

References:

1. Weese JS, Jack DC. Needlestick injuries in veterinary medicine. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2008 August; 49(8): 780–784. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2465782/. Accessed 22 September 2010.
2. Definition of Needlestick injury. MedicineNet.com. 2003 November. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25492. Accessed 23 September 2010.
3. Weese JS, Faires M. A survey of needle handling practices and needlestick injuries in veterinary technicians. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2009 December; 50(12): 1278–1282. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2777292/. Accessed 23 September 2010.
4. Needlestick safety and prevention act. 2000. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ430.106. Accessed 23 September 2010.
5. Castella A, Vallino A, Argentero P, Zotti C. Preventability of percutaneous injuries in healthcare workers: A year-long survey in Italy. J Hosp Infect 2003;55:290-294.

Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?

• Please report any sharps- related injuries to your supervisor immediately.
• For more information on proper sharps disposal or related injuries, you are welcome to contact RiskPrevent Consulting client services at: 1-800-NNN-NNNN or info@riskprvconsult.com
  

Additional Resources Include:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/#prevent

Occupational Safety & Hazard Administration (OSHA):
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html