A new approach to needlestick injuries among health care workers.

Reducing needlestick injuries has become an important topic of discussion for health care workers, politicians, employers, researchers, and government agencies. Demand for action has evoked strong responses from multiple players, and subsequently, greater public awareness. Speci® cally, the safety of health care workers has been emphasized; as a preventable occupational health hazard, needlestick injuries have been declared unacceptable. This article describes the scope of needlestick injuries among health care workers in the United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations applicable to these injuries, and strategies for prevention.