Needlestick Injury Preventative Measures

Here are some general procedures you can undertake to prevent a Needlestick Injury if you are in an occupation where you may come into contact with needles

• Wash hands before and after contact with each patient and before putting on and after removing gloves.
• Change gloves between patients.
• Cover with waterproof dressings any existing wounds, skin lesions and all breaks in exposed skin, and wear gloves if hands are extensively affected.
• Wear gloves where contact with blood can be anticipated.
• Avoid sharps usage where possible and, where sharps usage is essential, exercise particular care in handling and disposal.
• Avoid wearing open footwear in situations where blood may be spilt, or where sharp instruments or needles are handled.
• Clear up spillage of blood promptly and disinfect surfaces.
• Pre-employment occupational health assessment should identify those with damaged skin, eg fissured hand eczema, who may be at higher risk of occupationally acquired infection and ensure that advice is given about minimising any occupational health risk to which they may be exposed.
• Wear gloves when cleaning equipment prior to sterilisation or disinfection, when handling chemical disinfectant and when cleaning up spillages.
• Follow safe procedures for disposal of contaminated waste.

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