
needle stick injury protocol pdf
Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are accidental skin punctures caused by needles, posing risks of bloodborne pathogen exposure. Common in healthcare settings, they necessitate strict protocols for prevention and management to ensure worker safety and reduce infection risks. Understanding NSIs is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate their impact. First, I'll start by defining what a needle stick injury is. From the internet research, it's clear that NSIs are accidental punctures caused by needles, especially common among healthcare workers. I should mention the main scenarios where these injuries occur, such as during injections, recapping needles, or handling sharp objects. I should also highlight the primary risk, which is the transmission of bloodborne pathogens like HIV, HBV, and HCV. Next, I need to identify the most common settings for these injuries.…