Needle Stick Injuries: A Study on Infection Control in Healthcare

This report focuses on the significant issue of needle stick injuries within the healthcare sector, highlighting the associated risks and preventative measures. The study emphasizes the potential for transmission of bloodborne pathogens, the impact on healthcare workers, and the importance of implementing safety protocols. The report underscores the necessity of adhering to standard hygiene practices, using appropriate protective equipment, and promptly reporting injuries. The report also acknowledges the role of employers in ensuring the safety of medical devices, and the need for evidence-based guidelines to reduce the incidence of these injuries. The conclusion stresses the importance of continuous education and adherence to safety protocols to minimize the risk of infection and protect healthcare professionals.

Running head: INFECTION
Infection
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1INFECTION
Needle stick or sharp injuries is a major concern in the health care setting as it primarily
affects large number of health care workers and increases risk of serious infections such as HIV,
hepatitis B and C. The injury is mainly caused when needles contaminated with fluids of another
person accidentally punctures the skin of an individual while disposing or disassembling needles.
The risk and severity of infection also varies on the basis of transmission of different bloodborne
pathogen through the needle (Cho et al. 2013).
In the health care industry, needle stick injury is regarded as a severe occupational
hazard and clinical nurses are experiencing large proportion of the burden of needle stick
injuries. Certain factors such as poor awareness about exposure to risk, overcrowding in hospital,
failure to implement standard hygiene and precaution, reuse of contaminated needles and poor
supply of safety equipments also contribute to high risk of occupational infection. As knowledge
gap is one of the reasons for increase in needle stick injuries among doctors and nurses, it is
necessary to implement evidence based guidelines in health care setting to minimize the risk of
infection. This would help to prevent injuries. Compliance to certain safety measures like hand
washing, wearing gloves, mask, face shield and gown during medical procedures can also curb
the rate of infection. Employers also have the responsibility to evaluate the safety of medical
devices (Akyol and Kargin 2016). Even if needle stick injuries take places despite plan for safe
handling and disposal of needle, it is necessary to immediately report about all such injuries to
ensure that follow care is provided at the right time.

2INFECTION
Reference
Akyol, A.D. and Kargin, C., 2016. Needle Stick and Sharp Injuries among Nurses. Glob J Nurs
Forensic Stud, 1(109), p.2.
Cho, E., Lee, H., Choi, M., Park, S.H., Yoo, I.Y. and Aiken, L.H., 2013. Factors associated with
needlestick and sharp injuries among hospital nurses: a cross-sectional questionnaire
survey. International journal of nursing studies, 50(8), pp.1025-1032.