Sharps injury

A sharps injury occurs when a medical needle, lancet, or other pointed device accidentally punctures the skin. This can happen during medical procedures, cleaning, or disposal. Such injuries pose a risk of transmitting infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV if the sharp was used on a patient with these diseases. Healthcare workers take precautions, such as using safety-engineered devices and proper disposal containers, to prevent these injuries. Promptly reporting and cleaning the injury is essential to reduce the risk of infection and ensure appropriate medical follow-up.