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Nursing vocabulary · Infection Control

Needlestick injury

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˈniːdəlstɪk ˌɪndʒəri/nounCommon term

In nursing, needlestick injury means: An accidental prick or cut of the skin with a used needle or another sharp object, which may expose the person to infections carried in the blood.

In Turkish: iğne batması, kesici-delici alet yaralanması

How it is used

Also called a 'sharps injury'. The main concerns are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Hospitals have a set first-aid and reporting procedure, and staff contact occupational health or the emergency department quickly, because some preventive treatments work best when started early.

Example sentences

  1. I had a needlestick injury from a used insulin pen needle, so I went to occupational health straight away.

  2. Recapping needles is a common cause of needlestick injury.

Common collocations

  • report a needlestick injury
  • sustain a needlestick injury
  • needlestick injury policy
  • sharps injury
  • sharps binA strong plastic container with a lid, often yellow, into which used needles, blades and other sharp items are put for safe disposal.
  • incident reportA form completed when something happens that harmed, or could have harmed, a patient, visitor or member of staff, such as a fall or a medication error.
  • PPEShort for personal protective equipment: gloves, aprons, gowns, masks, eye protection and similar items worn to protect staff and patients from infection.
  • clinical wasteWaste from healthcare that may be infectious or harmful, such as used dressings, blood-stained items, sharps and some medicines.

More terms: Infection Control

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.