The objective of this paper is to advise on the development of practical policies for needlestick injuries in general dental practice. Policies for dealing with occupational exposure to chronic blood borne viruses, namely, hepatitis B, C and HIV are evolving. This article was particularly prompted by recent changes in post exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection. A flow chart is also included wh...

Sharps injuries experienced by surgeons are common, but are under-recognised and under-reported. The overall risks of transmission of blood-borne viruses to surgeons are low, with hepatitis C posing the greatest transmission risk. Recent trials show that early treatment of acute hepatitis C results in a cure rate approaching 100%. Surgeons and theatre staff should be encouraged to report and fo...

Nurses face the risk of exposure to blood-borne infections if they suffer a needlestick or other injury from sharp devices such as lancets, scalpels and razors. In order to minimise their risk of contracting viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, or other infections, risk assessment exercises must be undertaken so that safer systems of work can be implemented to protect nurses and other health...

BACKGROUND Although the prevalence of blood borne pathogens in many developing countries is high, documentation of infections due to occupational exposure is limited. Seventy percent of the world's HIV infected population lives in Sub-Saharan Africa, but only 4 % of cases are reported from this region. Under reporting of needle stick and/or sharps injuries in healthcare facilities was common. ...

Needle stick injuries are a common event in the healthcare setting. When drawing blood, administering an intramuscular or intravenous drug, performing other procedures involving sharps, needle can slip and injure worker. This sets stage to transmit viruses from source person recipient. These also commonly occur during recapping as result of failure place used needles approved sharps containers....

Introduction / objectives Injuries from needles and sharps by health professionals, are considered extremely dangerous because they are potentially capable of transmitting microorganisms, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, are the infectious agents most commonly involved. Institutions should seek to minimize risk as much as possible through measures includi...

Healthcare workers are at risk of sharps injuries and subsequent infection from more than 40 bloodborne pathogens or species. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) together account for the vast majority of cases. The Directive 2010/32/EU "Prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector", issued to protect workers from these ...