subject: Needlestick Injury - How To Avoid A Needlestick Injury [print this page] In order to provide the best medical care that a hospital and health care staff can, it is inevitable that there has to be some type of contact with sharp objects such as syringes and needles. These sharp objects while providing the necessary medical care to the patient can also serve as a danger to the surrounding medical staff. Every year 20% of the medical staff experiences some type of needlestick injury. To avoid being one of those 20% of health care staff it is advised to take precautionary measures to avoid this type of injury.
Awareness can serve as the number one precautionary measure that a health care provider can take to avoid a needlestick injury. A health care worker needs to be aware of what they are doing with the syringe, how they are handling the needles and sharp objects and even how they are disposing of the product after use. Many injuries that health care workers face from sharp objects are due to lack of concentration or not following proper procedures for syringe handling. To avoid this type of injury a health care worker needs to concentrate and follow all rules and procedures set up by the hospital. While it won't avoid an injury completely it will reduce the risk of facing one greatly.
Another precautionary measure that can be taken by health care workers to avoid a needlestick injury is that of encouraging the hospital to switch to safety syringes. Safety syringes provide a safe way to administer any medication or prescription drug intravenously to a patient without having to come in contact with the needle or sharp part of the syringe. The needle is covered before use and after use is pulled up and into the syringe bottle for proper disposal. A hospital that switches to this type of medical equipment will reduce the amount of time a health care worker comes in contact with the syringe and needle and prevent the possibility of an accidental needle stick from happening.
For a health care worker facing the possibility of a needlestick injury is just a part of the job. However, there are many precautionary measures that can be taken to reduce the chances of a health care worker getting this type of injury. With constant awareness and changes in medical equipment the risk of an accidental injury from a syringe or needle will be greatly reduced for health care workers.
by: Susan Halpern
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