An integrated systematic literature review conducted by Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI reveals that percutaneous injuries to healthcare workers from a sharps device are 4 times more likely to occur than mucocutaneous exposure and pose a greater risk of disease transmission.

Study Title
 
Healthcare Worker Risks from Short Peripheral Catheter Insertion

Purpose
 
To evaluate and better understand the risks to healthcare workers associated with placing short peripheral IV catheters

Key Points
 
1.  According to EPINET data 2007, needlestick injuries (percutaneous injuries) are 4 times more likely to occur than blood exposure (mucocutaneous exposure) for all sharps devices.
 
2.  According to EPINET data 2007, for short peripheral catheter insertion only, there were NO reported cases of mucocutaneous exposure.
 
3.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the rates of seroconversion are:

• Hepatitis B – 6% to 30% after percutaneous injuries
• Hepatitis C – 0.5% to 10% after percutaneous injuries
• HIV – 0.03% after percutaneous injuries
• HIV – 0.09% after mucocutaneous exposure
   

4.  The severity of transmission is greater when the percutaneous injuries (PCE) occur as compared to mucocutaneous exposure (MCE).
 
5. PCE exposure "remains a definite problem with rates of these injuries being much greater than MCE." – Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI

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