Abstract
Although the specific management of needlestick
injuries must be tailored to the individual case, five key steps should
be followed.
Article Extract
Despite increased awareness and precautions, needlestick
injuries continue to occur in the community. Raising an important
management issue in the general practice setting, they are often
associated with significant patient distress and uncertainty. Most
often, needlestick injuries are from contact with a discarded needle and
syringe, but they may also occur when people are sharing needles
during intravenous drug use or in cases of community occupational
exposures, such as those occurring in personal carers or council
cleaners. The risk of transmitting a blood-borne infection is different
in each setting, and the situation needs to be taken into account when
deciding on a management course.
