A needle stick injury is the penetration of the skin by a hypodermic needle or the sharp object that has

been in contact with blood tissue or other body fluids before the exposure. This injury can lead to
transmission of blood borne diseases placing those exposed at increased risk of infection from disease
causing pathogens such as the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Recapping has been discouraged/prohibited when using the other hand to recap due to number of cases
of needle stick injury. But a new technique was introduced the hands-free technique called the one-
hand scoop technique by placing the cap in a flat surface and re-inserting the used needle to the cap
without using the other hand.

A phlebotomist who got injured through this unsafe laboratory procedure must be given immediate
emergency medical attention by holding, bleeding and washing the wound with soap and under running
water.

A policy must be created with regards to unsafe lab practices. The way to communicate this policy is to
create a laboratory safety rule approved and mandated.