Needle stick injuries are probably are the biggest danger facing the body artist in the workplace. Some pathogens (organisms which cause disease) are more readily transmitted this way than others, but HIV, Hepatitis B,, and Hepatitis C transmission are all very real risks.

Good question. Here are some of the latest statistics as reported by RN journal:

If you are stuck with a needle contaminated with HIV, your chances of becoming infected with the virus are  1 in 300. That may seem like a small risk, but I'll bet many of you buy lottery tickets hoping to win with far worse odds than that.

Get stuck by a needle contaminated with Hepatitis B (HBV) & you have even greater risk of infection. Up to 4 of every 25 of these needle stick injuries will lead to infection in people who have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C (HCV) is another of those notorious viruses. Needle sticks contaminated with HCV have an infection risk as high as 3 in 50.

What do you need to know about handling sharps?

First principle: Prevent needle sticks! It's always preferable to prevent an injury from occurring than to treat it afterwards, so your best defense is to prevent being stuck with a dirty needle. Here are some tips for safe needle handling:

Always dispose of needles immediately in approved sharps containers (leak-proof, puncture resistant, and properly labeled). Containers should not be allowed to overfill and you should never handle the contents of the container. Some sources recommend partially filling the container with bleach. When the containers themselves are ready for disposal, the OSHA approved method is incineration. Incineration should NOT be done by you, however, but rather by an agency equipped to handle medical waste disposal.

NEVER, EVER BEND OR BREAK NEEDLES AFTER THEY'VE BEEN USED FOR A PROCEDURE: I've found that many artists make this a common practice, and it's just plain dangerous. Think about it: The longer you mess with the dirty, contaminated needle, the greater the chance of an accidental needle stick. Simply putting the needle in the sharps container is your best option!

Sounds simple right? Sure. Try to keep in mind some other things which might make you more prone to having an accidental needle stick. Fatigue and letting your mind wander may increase your risk of having an accident. Take breaks when you feel yourself drifting and get adequate rest and nutrition to avoid fatigue.

Minimize the Risks: Though there are no immunizatoins for HIV or HCV, a vaccination does exist for HBV. This vaccine should be obtained by all persons whose occupation places them in contact with blood or other body fluids. Vaccination for HBV is done is three steps over a six month period, and has been found to be very safe and effective.

Accidentally Stuck - What Should I Do: If you find yourself in this position, there are immediate steps you should take to protect your health.

Immediately following a needle stick injury, you should express blood from the site, then wash the site with soap and water.

After expressing blood and washing the site, call your doctor or visit an emergency room immediately. Treatments are available which may reduce your risk of infection with disease causing agents which may have been present on the needle. For maximal effectiveness, these treatments need to begin right away - preferably within two hours of the accident.

All original graphics & content are the intellectual property of Louise Komorek, SN, SIUE.

Copyright © 2002, Louise Komorek, The Student Nurse's Study Lounge

*Disclaimer: This site is intended for educational purposes only & should not be regarded as expert medical advice though every attempt has been made to provide current & accurate scientific information. The author & owner accepts no liability for misuse of the content of this site.