Advice on Needlestick Injuries

What is an inoculation injury?
An inoculation injury is any incident
where somebody’s blood or a body
fluid could contaminate your blood
or mucous membranes (linings of the
eye, nose, or mouth) This could be a
result of a bite scratch or splash.
What do I do if I have an inoculation
injury?
First wash the area thoroughly
and encourage it to bleed
Who do I inform about the injury?
Inform your manager, or most
senior member of staff about the injury
As soon as possible after the injury
contact the Occupational Health and
Safety Department or local A&E Dept
(Out of hours).
Why inform Occupational Health
about the injury?
Occupational Health will check your
records for your vaccination history and
level of immunity, and advise you on the
appropriate action to be taken. If it occurs
out of hours then inform and attend A&E.
Urgent Action
If you have an inoculation injury from a
source that is known to be
HIV positive
Hepatitis B positive
Hepatitis C positive
You must act immediately and report
the injury to Occupational Health or
A&E.
Why does the incident need to be reported
immediately?
If the patient is infected with or at high risk of
‣ HIV There are tablets available that may
be able to prevent you contracting the virus.
However to maximise its effect this must be
commenced within one hour of the injury
occurring.
‣ Hepatitis B. If you are not immune to
hepatitis B and come into direct contact with
the blood or body fluid of someone who has
the virus Hepatitis B immunoglobulin can be
given up to 48 hours after the injury. This
is not a substitute for immunisation.
It is essential that you are aware whether you
have immunity to Hepatitis B. If you have had a
poor or no response to vaccination, or have not
yet been vaccinated then you must inform the
person dealing with the incident. If the injury
occurs out of hours A&E will not be able to
access your vaccination records.
‣ If the patient is not known to have,
or be at risk of a blood borne virus
then you will still need to have a
Hepatitis B booster and a blood test.
The blood samples taken are tested
and then stored for 5 years after the
incident
What else do I need to do?
‣ An Incident/Accident form must be
filled in by the recipient and given to
the manager
‣ It is your responsibility to arrange
for the medical team caring for the
patient to take a sample of blood for
testing.
Blood is routinely tested for Hepatitis B
antigen (HbsAgs) and Hepatitis C
antibody (Hep C Abs) & HIV following
receipt of patients consent for the
tests requested (using yellow consent
form SE524)