The most common risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens for healthcare workers is a needlestick or injury from another sharp object. This can happen with needles, scalpels, suture needles, IV equipment, or other tools that may have blood on them.
This type of injury is called a percutaneous injury, meaning the sharp object breaks the skin. The source material shows that needlestick and sharps injuries make up most reported bloodborne exposures in healthcare settings, often far more than splashes to the eyes, mouth, or broken skin.
Bloodborne pathogens can include viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Exposure is more likely during or soon after procedures that involve blood, especially when handling, passing, recapping, or disposing of sharps.
The most important prevention step is to use sharps safety devices and place used needles or sharp tools directly into approved sharps containers without recapping. Any exposure should be reported right away so the worker can receive proper evaluation and follow-up care.