First Responders Not at Occupational Risk of HCV

Our study revealed that needles were the major injury-inflicting objects, of which disposable injection syringes accounted for the most. This finding is similar to that of Puro et al. In terms of work practice, injuries occurred most frequently when the "syringe was recapped with both hands." Since injection syringes were the greatest culprit for needlestick injury from our study, individuals who handle such apparatus should be reminded to be alert and adept in their handling of used needles. Employees also should be encouraged to use appropriate protective measures, such as recapping the syringe single-handedly and using safer products with improved designs. In our hospital, containers that are resistant to puncture were purchased in 1997, so disposable needles can be discarded without recapping. The annual incidence of needle-recapping injury decreased over the period of the study.