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Updated: May 23, 2026
09:57
A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
Needlestick injuries, short peripheral catheters, and health care worker risks
1Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc. lynn@hadawayassociates.com
Summary
Healthcare workers face risks from percutaneous exposure (PCE) and mucocutaneous exposure (MCE) to bodily fluids. This review examines risks from venipuncture and peripheral catheter insertion, highlighting ongoing global concerns.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Infection Control
- Healthcare Epidemiology
Background:
- Percutaneous exposure (PCE) and mucocutaneous exposure (MCE) to blood present significant risks for healthcare workers globally.
- While PCE rates have decreased in the US, they remain a worldwide issue.
- Data on MCE are limited and suggest it is less common than PCE, but requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an integrative, systematic literature review.
- To identify and analyze the risks associated with venipuncture procedures.
- To identify and analyze the risks associated with the insertion of short peripheral catheters.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Integrative review methodology.
- Analysis of existing data on percutaneous and mucocutaneous exposures in healthcare settings.
Main Results:
- Venipuncture procedures are frequently associated with percutaneous exposure risks.
- No published reports detail mucocutaneous exposure during the insertion, use, or removal of short peripheral catheters.
- Percutaneous exposures, though reduced in the US, persist as a global healthcare challenge.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare workers remain at risk from percutaneous and mucocutaneous exposures to bloodborne pathogens.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and mitigate MCE risks.
- Venipuncture and peripheral catheter insertion are key procedures requiring ongoing risk assessment and management strategies.
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