Community acquired needlestick injuries in non-health care workers presenting to an urban emergency department

To review the epidemiology and demographics of community acquired needlestick injuries in non-health care workers attending an urban ED.

A retrospective analysis of patients with needlestick injuries attending the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1996 to 2001.

One hundred and twenty cases were reviewed. The most common mechanism of injury was exposure to discarded syringes (68%). Forty three (36%) injuries were work related. Twenty four (20%) were non-accidental. Ten (8%) patients received human immunodeficiency virus post exposure prophylaxis. There were no viral seroconversions in the patients with data available.

We have identified three groups, males, cleaners and police officers, who are at particular risk of injury. Community education is required so that medical assessment is sought early and to increase awareness of these injuries. The provision of post exposure prophylaxis requires individualized risk assessment, as only in a minority of cases is the source available for testing.