Which practice best reduces the risk of needle-stick injuries during clinical procedures?

• A. Remove needle quickly from syringe
• B. Use a needle with a safety device and avoid recapping
• C. Reuse needles after sterilization
• D. Have another nurse handle the needle

Answer: (B)

Using a needle with a safety device and avoiding recapping is the most effective way to reduce needle-stick injuries. Safety-engineered sharps have a built-in mechanism that shields or retracts the needle after use, so the clinician isn’t exposed when handling or disposing of it. Recapping a needle creates a moment when the sharp point is more likely to puncture skin, especially during maneuvering or transfer, making injuries much more common. Reusing needles compromises sterility and increases infection risk, and simply having someone else handle the needle doesn’t address the underlying safety gap. So, choose a needle equipped with a safety feature and don’t recap—activate the safety and dispose promptly in a sharps container.