Once upon a time, the practice of recapping used needles was commonplace. While vigorous education campaigns about the dangers of the practice have helped reduce the incidence of recapping-related injuries, it’s still a problem. Recapping is dangerous in several ways: The needle can miss the cap and puncture one’s hand, it can pierce the cap and stab one’s finger, or an ill-fitting cap can slip off creating a hazard. In rare situations where recapping is absolutely necessary, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends using a single-handed scooping method, where the cap is placed on a flat surface and scooping it onto the tip of the syringe. But safety experts say it’s best to avoid the practice entirely.
Needlestick injuries are wounds caused by needles that accidentally puncture the skin.
Needlestick injuries are a hazard for people who work with hypodermic syringes and other needle equipment. These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of needles. When not disposed of properly, needles can become concealed in linen or garbage and injure other workers who encounter them unexpectedly.
"Sharps" include needles, as well as items such as scalpels, lancets, razor blade, scissors, metal wire, retractors, clamps, pins, staples, cutters, and glass items. Essentially, any object that is able to cut the skin can be considered a "sharp".
These injuries transmit infectious diseases, especially blood-borne viruses. Concern includes the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Accidental punctures by contaminated needles can inject hazardous fluids into the body through the skin. There is potential for injection of hazardous drugs, but contact with infectious fluids, especially blood, is by far the greatest concern. Even small amounts of infectious fluid can spread certain diseases effectively.
Sharps can create a cut in the skin which allows contact between blood, or fluids.
The risk of infection after exposure to infected blood varies by bloodborne pathogen.
Preventing injuries from sharps and needlesticks is considered a part of the "routine practices" used by healthcare workers.
Workers who use sharps require education and training as part of a sharps injury prevention program. Workers should be educated in how to protect themselves during use, and to protect others who may encounter the device during or after procedures.
The use of safety-engineered devices such as protected needle devices, or needle-free systems with self-sealing ports and syringes is encouraged.
An effective system for disposing of used needles and sharps is crucial to preventing injuries. Have disposal containers readily available.
Workers should place needles in wide-mouth, puncture-proof containers. Locate disposal containers specifically where needles and sharps are used to make safe disposal possible. Replace the containers before they are completely filled - sharps containers should be removed and replaced when they are three quarters full. Make sure they are sealed, collected, and disposed of in accordance with local regulations for biomedical waste.
All staff should report every incident in which they find needles or sharps left at the bedside or thrown into the regular garbage.
At all times, Nurses must always remember that in order to protect others from harm, they need to protect their selves first.
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