Needlestick injuries publication launched

Published: 24 February 2009

The Royal College of Nursing has launched a publication, supported by an educational grant from sanofi aventis, highlighting the issues surrounding needlestick injuries and calling for a legislative solution to this problem.

Health care workers risk exposure to viruses such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a result of injury from used medical sharps, such as needles or scalpel blades on a daily basis. Whilst these injuries expose workers to over 20 different blood borne diseases, the majority of these injuries could be prevented.

Read Needlestick injuries - the point of protection (003 313) (PDF 1.4MB) [how to access PDF files] or order a hard copy version from RCN Direct. Email: publications@rcn.org.uk.