Preventing Needlestick Injuries in Health Care Settings

This report provides guidelines regarding the prevention of needlestick injuries in health care settings. Bloodborne pathogens that may be transmitted during needlestick injuries include HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The report identifies activities associated with needlestick injuries and describes Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for the prevention of such injuries in the workplace. In addition, the report presents case studies describing the experience of five health care workers who developed infections after occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens.