title: Needle stick injury. Reducing the risk.
abstract: The incidence of penetrating skin wounds and needle penetration of gloves during operation was studied in orthopaedic surgeons. Significant hand wounds were found in 11% of surgeons before operations. Glove penetration during closure of the deep tissues occurred in 16% of outer gloves and 6% of inner gloves when standard needle points were used. The surgeon sustained a needle-stick injury in 6% of this group. When a needle with a protective point was used, there were no glove perforations. This simple precaution reduces the risk of transmission of blood-borne disease during operation.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin, Eire.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009339:Needles; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013537:Sutures