2023, Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A

author(s)
Govind Lamani, Preeti Bhupali, Vinay PM and Shivanand Gejji

abstract
Needle stick injuries are a common event in the healthcare setting. When drawing blood, administering an intramuscular or intravenous drug, or performing other procedures involving sharps, the needle can slip and injure the healthcare worker. This sets the stage to transmit viruses from the source person to the recipient. These injuries also commonly occur during needle recapping and as a result of failure to place used needles in approved sharps containers. During surgery, a surgical needle may in avertedly penetrate the glove and skin of the surgeon or assistant. Penetrating accidents of the surgeon or assistant with the scalpel or other sharp instruments are also handled as a needle stick injury. Generally, needle stick injuries cause only minor bleeding or visible trauma, however, even in the absence of bleeding the risk of viral infection remains. Scalpel injuries tend to be larger than a needle stick. In turn, a needle stick injury may also pose a risk for a patient if the injured health professional carries HBV, HCV or HIV. Needle stick injuries are not limited to the medical community. Any environment where sharps are encountered poses a risk.