title: Occupational needlestick injuries in a US airport.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize needlestick injuries (NSIs) among airport workers, and to suggest preventive strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review (2003-2008) of workers evaluated at a clinic in a large US airport that provides occupational health services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a period of 6 years, 14 NSI cases were seen. The majority of injuries occurred while workers cleaned lavatories in the airport or on airplanes. Insulin needles were involved in most cases, and the injuries typically occurred on the hand. No cases of hepatitis B, C, or HIV seroconversion were documented, although follow-up was typically incomplete.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The improper disposal of used insulin needles among travelers can result in potential bloodborne pathogen exposure among airport workers. Occupational NSIs have not previously been described among airport workers. A multilevel approach to prevention is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. sdorevit@uic.edu
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dorevitch
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lacey
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abelmann
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zautcke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001359:Aviation; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult