Surgery Sticks

In the United States, 4 million health care workers are at risk for blood-borne pathogen infections, and nearly 400,000 sharps injuries occur annually. Surgeons constitute ~25% of these workers and are at the highest risk in the OR of acquiring a sharps injury. Although the majority of these injuries result only in temporary pain or discomfort, they can lead to lifelong disability and illness. Despite policies designed to protect health care workers, injuries remain common, and nearly all surgeons report sustaining at least 1 sharps injury during their career.Nonetheless, many clinicians fail to report injuries because of misconceptions regarding risk, prophylaxis, and treatment.This review highlights the scope of sharps injuries among surgeons, potential strategies for prevention, and the evolution of health care policy designed to protect clinicians.