People who work in healthcare provide valuable services for the patients they care for. That care often comes with considerable risks, including being injured by sharps. These objects, which include needles, syringes, scalpels and others that are sharp, can lead to lacerations and sticks for the healthcare professional, but there’s another risk.
Sharps that have come into contact with a patient can lead to disease transmission if the patient has anything that’s contagious. This puts these healthcare professionals at risk of illnesses, such as HIV or hepatitis if they’re cut or poked with a contaminated sharp.
When do sharps injuries occur?
More than half of all sharps injuries occur during use. They can also occur in between the steps of a multiple-step process, after the sharp is used but before disposal, during recapping or disposal and while restraining a patient.
During those times, disposable syringes and suture needles are most likely to be the culprits of the stick. Those sharps are all likely to be contaminated with bodily fluids or blood at the time of the injury.
Healthcare professionals who suffer from sharps injuries may need continual monitoring for potential illnesses. This is more likely if the patient who the sharp was used on has a contagious disease. Workers’ compensation benefits should cover the costs of that monitoring and any other care that’s necessary. Other benefits may also be possible, depending on the circumstances. Working with someone familiar with these cases may be beneficial to help the victim ensure they receive the benefits they’re due.
