Needlestick injuries and exposure to blood and high risk body fluids: initial action plan
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Apply First Aid:
- Encourage local bleeding of accidental puncture wounds by gently squeezing.
DO NOT SUCK THE AREA
- Wash the affected area with soap and warm water
DO NOT SCRUB THE AREA
- Treat mucosal surfaces such as mouth or conjunctiva by rinsing with warm water or saline. Water used for rinsing the mouth must not be swallowed.
DO NOT USE BLEACH ON THE INJURY
Establish whether a significant injury has occurred.
In order for an injury to be considered significant, both the type of injury incurred and the body fluid involved must be high-risk. See boxes 1 & 2 below for definitions of high-risk injuries and body fluids.
Note: for advice on how to manage human bites, see section 4.1 of the guideline Management of occupational and non-occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses .
HAS THIS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INJURY? |
NO |
 |
|
YES |
|
Health Care Worker Inform Occupational Health Department at earliest opportunity. Complete IR1 form. With your supervisor, reflect on the cause of the injury and take steps to ensure the future risk of such incidents is reduced.
Member of the public If further reassurance is needed. advise to contact GP who can arrange counselling if required. Counselling services can be accessed through the Brownlee Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital or the Sandyford Initiative. If the incident has occurred during the course of the patient's work, advise him/her to inform their Occupational Health Department (where applicable) at the earliest opportunity. |
Health Care Worker Inform Occupational Health Department immediately or, if out of hours, go to Emergency Department as soon as possible, ideally within one hour of the incident occurring. †Supervisors should refer to section 1.3 of the guideline Management of occupational and non-occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses for guidance on their roles and responsibilities.
Member of the public Those treating significant injuries should follow the guideline Management of occupational and non-occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses |
Box 1: Injury type
|
High-Risk Injury |
Low-Risk Injury |
|
Percutaneous exposure e.g. needlestick or other sharps injury. Exposure on broken skin. Mucous membrane exposure (e.g. eye) |
Splash on intact skin - there is no known risk of BBV transmission from exposures to intact skin. |
Box 2: Body fluid
|
High-Risk Body Fluid |
Low-Risk Body Fluid (unless blood stained) |
|
Blood |
Urine |
The full guideline and supporting documentation can be accessed at www.nhsggc.org.uk/phpu
Last reviewed: 03 June 2015
Next review: 03 June 2019