THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SHARPS INJURIES AND SPLASH EXPOSURES AT A MILITARY MEDICAL-CENTER

Health care workers (HCWs) are subject to sharps injuries and splash e xposures on a daily basis, and are therefore at risk for infection wit h a number of bloodborne pathogens. We conducted a review of sharps in juries and splash exposures at our institution. Although nursing perso nnel most often sustained sharps injuries, many HCWs from different pa tient care occupations are involved, and underreporting obscures the m agnitude of the problem. Sharps injuries are most commonly caused by h ollow-bore needles, although many devices in the hospital environment are capable of causing injury. Most sharps injuries occur after the de vice is used, but before disposal. Reducing the number of sharps injur ies will require a multifaceted approach including reducing the need f or using sharps, better HCW instruction in preventing injuries, and im proved instrument design.