needlestick injury


needlestick injury

Infection control The unintentional exposure of a health care worker to a needle used in direct Pt management. See Hospital-acquired penetration contacts, Sharps.

needlestick injury

The actual or potential harm caused by accidentally pricking oneself with a needle after giving an injection or taking blood. Needlestick injury has acquired greater significance since AIDS and HEPATITIS B have become so prevalent. Medical personnel routinely discard ‘sharps’ into special safe containers without first re-sheathing hypodermic needles. Sheathing readily leads to pricking.