Occupation risk of needlestick injuries among health care personnel in Saudi Arabia.

In a four-year study of penetrating injuries potentially contaminated with blood among health care personnel, the majority of cases occurred amongst nurses (65%). The wards were the commonest place for injury to occur (39%) which questions whether difficult practical procedures should be performed there. Injuries occurred most commonly during the afternoons (63%). Although needles were the most frequent implement (79%) causing injury, very few cases (7%) were related to the re-sheathing of cannulae. The commonest injured area (46%) was the palmar surface of the distal forefinger of the non-dominant hand. Western staff reported most incidents. There were no episodes of repeated needlestick injury. No staff developed any blood-borne infection (HIV, hepatitis B, treponemal infection) within a one year follow-up period after such a penetrating injury.