Nurses have the highest rate of needlestick injury among health care workers. A
health care worker’s risk of infection from a needlestick injury depends on the pathogen
involved, the immune status of the worker, and the severity of the needlestick. The
probability that a single needlestick will result in disease is 3 to 5 chances in 1000
for HIV, 300 chances in 1000 for Hepatitis B, and 20 to 50 chances in 1000 for
Hepatitis C.
Accidental needlesticks account for 86% of all occupationally related infectious
disease transmission. The emotional impact of a needlestick injury can be severe,
even when a serious infection is not transmitted, particularly when the injury involves
exposure to HIV. In one study of 20 health care workers with an HIV exposure, 11
reported acute severe distress, 7 had persistent moderate distress, and 6 quit their
jobs as a result of their exposure3.