There has been an increase in sharps related injuries over the past year, with 200 incidents or near misses to colleagues in our catering, cleaning and portering departments in 2024.

HRI's A&E Domestic, Scott Bradley, was injured from a needle stick injury after a needle was incorrectly disposed into a domestic waste bin.

Speaking on the impact it has had, Scott said: "I was emptying the domestic waste in A&E and placed the bag on the floor. That's when I felt a sharp scratch down my leg. I looked down and there was a needle poking through the waste bag. I checked my leg, and the needle had torn through my trousers, pierced my skin and the wound was bleeding. I felt frightened when I saw the injury, I didn’t know what was in the needle and what would happen to me now.

"I had to wait six weeks to find out if that needle carried anything. I was so worried the whole time. It got so bad that I ended up taking a week off work because I felt so anxious. When the first set of results came back clear, I was incredibly relieved.

"I had to have several more blood tests over a period of 10 months. After each one I had a long wait before finding out the results that would tell me if I had been infected with something or not. I felt on edge most of the time. The first week was the worst, I wasn't eating and was sick with worry, and the whole experience has really impacted my life.

"Even now, every time I empty a bin, it's in my mind - is it going to happen again?

"I just want colleagues who are handling needles to be aware of the impact they could have on someone's life if they don't dispose of them properly. It's still happening, and I would ask my colleagues to please think of the people who empty domestic waste bins, before incorrectly throwing sharps in them. An act that took two seconds has impacted me for 18 months."

Ways to prevent sharps injuries

Clinical staff should follow the Prevention and Management of Clinical Sharps Injuries and Exposure to Blood and High-Risk Body Fluids Policy. Following these protocols is essential to protecting our colleagues. If you or your team require a refresher or additional training, please contact your team lead or health and safety representative.

Please also be aware of patients who self-administer medication using needles. Making a sharps bin available at the bedside is the safest option.

A single moment of carelessness in a ward or clinical setting can lead to unnecessary stress, harm, and the need for blood tests, leaving others to face prolonged uncertainty after a needle stick injury.

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Please provide a sharps bin to patients who self-administer insulin or other medication
Please provide a sharps bin to patients who self-administer insulin or other medication