title: Needlestick injuries and safety syringes: a review of the literature.
abstract: Needlestick injuries are a serious concern for nurses and other healthcare workers. One of the main clinical risks from needlestick injury is the possible infection by blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. A number of different measures have been introduced to minimise the risk and impact of needlestick injuries, including the use of fixed-needle safety syringes. However, some healthcare workers refuse to use such devices, for reasons that include the perceived need to change syringe needles between drawing up a medicine and its administration to a patient. This paper will explore the literature relating to needlestick injuries and the reasons commonly given for not using fixed-needle safety syringes.
authors.affiliation: University of South Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Higginson
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parry
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles / Q000592:standards*; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000592:standards*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011482:Protective Devices; D013594:Syringes / Q000592:standards*