600,000 Needle-stick Injuries Occur in US Hospitals Yearly - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

AORN Journal, Nov, 2000

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that 600,000 needle-stick injuries occur in US hospitals each year, according to a Aug 4, 2000, news release from Frontline Healthcare Workers Safety Foundation. This number does not take into consideration those emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and other public safety professionals who are injured.

The greatest risk for health care workers is the occupational transmission of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The risk of contracting HCV is 40% to 50% greater than the risk of contracting HIV. Unlike HIV, no federal health regulations exist regarding screening, early intervention medication therapy, or post-exposure prophylaxis for HCV.

A recent study shows that for every dollar spent on curative HCV treatment now, $4 can be saved. This means savings to employers, benefit funds, and tax-payers, as well as prevention of the disease.

Currently, $15 billion per year is spent by the US health care system to care for those with HCV. By 2021, it is projected that this will reach $26 billion.

Healthcare Workers Face National Crisis--Conference Focuses on-Safety Needs of America's Workers (news release, Washington, DC.. Frontline Healthcare Workers Safely Foundation, Aug 4, 2000) 1-3. Available from http://www.newsdesk.com/members/showdoc.htm?file =pr138287.txt. Accessed 7 August 2000.