Worker stuck by contaminated needle

In the instrument processing area of a dentist's office, a dental assistant was trying to remove the needle from a re-capped syringe. The syringe had been used to administer anaesthetic to a patient. When the assistant tried to remove the needle, the cap fell off. While trying to put the cap back on the needle, she pricked her finger. Safety-engineered hollow-bore needles were not being used as required. Safe work procedures for handling contaminated sharps were also not in place. The dental chart listed the patient's positive hepatitis C status.

Safe work practices:

• Use a needleless device or a safety-engineered needle for any dental or medical procedure that poses a risk of an accidental needle-stick injury, including—but not limited to—the following:
• administering medications or fluids (including anaesthetic)
• withdrawing body fluids
• accessing a vein or artery

• Establish safe work procedures—along with appropriate training and supervision—to minimize exposure to blood and body fluids, including the following:
• prohibiting re-capping and manual removal of contaminated needles
• activating safety features on needles after use
• properly disposing of needles after use
• ensuring workers' vaccinations are current
• wearing gloves, face protection, and gowns as required
• Advise workers who have been stuck by a contaminated sharp to seek immediate medical attention—preferably within 2 hours of being injured.