What to Do if You've Had a Needle Stick Injury
Needle stick safety should always be a priority. The following suggested steps regarding how to handle a needle stick injury were first published in the American Journal of Nursing.1
Step One – Clean the Wound
The first thing you should do is clean the wound with soap and water. Don't pinch or squeeze blood out of the wound or apply bleach. If the injury is sustained in the OR while assisting with a procedure, cleanse the site with either povidone iodine or isopropyl alcohol.
Step Two – Testing
It is critical that you get tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C as soon as possible.
Step Three – Report the Incident
In order to maintain needle stick safety, always report the needle stick – even a "clean stick" – via an incident report according to protocol.
Step Four – Retesting
You should be retested for hepatitis C six weeks after the needle stick and again at four to six months for HCV antibodies and elevated liver enzymes. After HIV exposure, get tested at six weeks and again at three, six and twelve months for antibodies to HIV. The frequency will depend on the risk of transmission.
Where to Go for More Information on Needle Stick Safety
Call the Clinicians Hotline
The National HIV/AIDS Clinician Consultation Center runs the National Clinicians' Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline (PEPline) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline offers up-to-the-minute advice on needle stick safety, including managing occupational exposures (from needle sticks, splashes, etc.) to HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens.
The hotline s clinicians are needle stick safety experts, and they will help assess the risk of the exposure, discuss the most recent post-exposure prophylaxis protocols, and review specific treatment and follow-up options
The number to call is 1.888.448.4911. For more information visit www.ucsf.edu/hivcntr/Hotlines/PEPline.html
Learn more about needle stick injuries.