December 19, 2024- Each year, healthcare workers experience an estimated 385,000 injuries resulting from accidental needle sticks and contact with sharp medical tools, according to Dynarex and The National Library of Medicine. That’s why every December, International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month serves as a critical reminder of the importance of following proper procedures when handling needles and other medical sharps.
Sharps injuries happen when needles, scalpels, or other sharp medical items accidentally puncture or cut a healthcare worker, potentially exposing them to harmful viruses like HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), or hepatitis C (HCV). Other risks include infections such as syphilis, malaria, and herpes. Alarmingly, healthcare professionals account for nearly half of all reported sharps injuries in the United States.
Creating a safer healthcare environment starts with implementing effective sharps safety strategies, according to Dynarex. The CDC recommends the following practices to significantly reduce the risk of injuries including provide comprehensive training on equipment to staff, adopt specialized strategies for hand-to-hand transfers of sharps, and ensure proper disposal.