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The cost of needlestick injuries Although there are no exact numbers on how many work related needlestick injuries occur each year across the US, estimates indicate that 600,000 to 800,000 injuries occur annually, about half of which go unreported. The Center for Disease Control estimates that more than half of those needlestick injuries occur outside of hospitals, in the field or workplace where danger is higher and immediate ramifications can be more severe Needlestick injuries: What’s the risk?

Needle exposure can cost from $5,000 $36,000 for initial evaluation to for ongoing treatment

According to the American Hospital Association, a single case of serious infection by bloodborne pathogens can add up to $1 million or more in expenses for testing, lost work time, and disability payments. Even when no infection occurs, the cost to an organization is a minimum of $5,000 for initial evaluation, up to $36,000 for ongoing treatment and time off work. Reports conducted within the last few years indicate that as high as 8% of police officers have recorded needlestick injuries while on the job. These injuries occur most commonly when officers were conducting pat-down searches, searches incident to arrest, property searches, and vehicle searches. Sticks or punctures from needles pose an elevated danger to officers due to the risk of infection from bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV.* A 2017 report published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends “providing officers with [needle- and] cut-resistant gloves for their use when they are performing searches and pat downs,” in addition to providing nitrile gloves and/or face shields, in order to combat the dangers of accidental needlestick injuries.* In 2016 alone, nearly 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses – equating to roughly as many American deaths in the entire Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars combined – and more than 122 people die every day from syringes of heroin, gel caps of fentanyl, and excess of oxycodone, according to a 2018 TIME article. This epidemic is affecting far more than users and their families. Because 60-80 percent of injection drug users have an infectious blood borne pathogen, men and women in public safety are experiencing higher risks on the job. First responders, firefighters, public safety officials, and correctional officers are exposed to more needlestick threat than ever before.**

*De Perio MD, Marie A. [2017]. Evaluation of Needlestick Injuries and Other Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens Among Officers in a City Police Department. US Department of Health and Human Services Report No. 2016-0121-3284. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2016-0121-3284.pdf ** Time, [2018] The Opioid Diaries. http://time.com/opioid-addiction-epidemic-in-america/

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