Needlestick injury in the community

Members of the public can also come into contact with contaminated needles and sharps. RCEM recommends that the ED should provide initial care to all patients presenting with needlestick injuries sustained in the community (3).

• Hypodermic needles may be intentionally shared among intravenous drug users.
• Discarded needles may be encountered in public spaces or the home.
• Inappropriately disposed needles and sharps may be encountered in any activity that involves handling waste.

In most cases, when a potentially contaminated needle has been encountered by accident, it will not be possible to ascertain:

• Whether the needle is contaminated and what it has been used for.
• The BBV status of the source.
• The time between the needle use and the needlestick injury.