Most sharps injuries—84 percent—occur among healthcare workers, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) confirmed in a recently released analysis. Injuries from a needle or other sharp objects can expose workers to bloodborne pathogens (BBP), such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other infectious diseases, NIOSH said in the September edition of its eNews. The NIOSH analysis looked at an estimated 875,900 work-related sharps injuries that were treated in hospital emergency departments over a 15-year period. Most sharps injuries occurred among female workers and younger workers—under 35 years old. Healthcare workers had an injury rate of 16.7 per 10,000 full-time employees (FTE)—a rate more than six times the rate for all workers of 2.7 per 10,000 FTE. NIOSH reiterated the need for standardized education about preventing sharps injuries for all workers who are at risk. The institute said that research should continue to focus on how and when sharps injuries occur, especially among younger healthcare workers.
