What is a Needlestick Injury

A sharps injury is an incident, which causes a needle, blade (such as scalpel) or other medical instruments to penetrate the skin. This is sometimes called a percutaneous injury.

What is the risk?

The main risk from a sharps injury is the potential exposure to infections such as blood-borne viruses (BBV). This can occur where the injury involves a sharp that is contaminated with blood or a bodily fluid from a patient. The blood-borne viruses of most concern are:

  • Hepatitis B (HBV)
  • Hepatitis C (HCV)
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The transmission of infection depends on a number of factors, including the person's natural immune system. Although the number of injuries each year is high, only a small number are known to have caused infections that led to serious illness.

Information, instruction and training on safe use of sharps

Appropriate training is key to managing the risk of sharps injuries. Staff must be provided with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training, such as;

  • The precautions they should take to protect themselves and other persons. For example, the use of medical devices, safe systems of work or local procedures and the correct use and disposal of sharps;
  • How to use any PPE and clothing provided; and,
  • What procedures to follow in the event of an injury, such as who to report the incident to and First Aid Actions. 

Ensure that suitable clinical waste disposal procedures, including use of sharps containers, are followed

Sharps injuries often occur when the used medical sharp is being transported or when disposed of incorrectly. Most sharps injuries to ancillary and support staff usually involve disposable medical sharps that have not been placed in an appropriate sharps container or have been placed in an overfull container.

Simple arrangements and procedures for the safe disposal of clinical waste can help mitigate this, including; 

  • Disposal of sharps at the point of use.
  • Ideally sharps bins should be designed to prevent overfilling and accidental spillage of contents. They should be easy to close temporarily and permanently, and there should be no risk of puncture of the container.
  • Sharps bins should not be left unattended in areas where non-healthcare workers (especially children) can access them.

Have clear procedures for response to sharps injury

If a sharps injury is sustained, the staff member must follow the below steps: 

  • Immediately report the incident to their line manager;
  • Follow the appropriate first Aid Actions;
  • Attend Occupational health or the Emergency Department (if out of hours); and 
  • Complete a DATIX incident form.