Community-acquired, non-occupational needlestick injuries treated in US Emergency Departments

The escalating number of persons self-injecting medications, predominantly insulin, has generated concerns that the public is at risk of acquiring blood-borne infections from discarded needles/syringes. Communities have developed disposal guidelines but a debate continues over the need for further legislation and/or at-home safety devices. This study examines the number, characteristics, treatment and costs of community-acquired needlestick injuries (CANSIs). US-representative CANSI rates and characteristics were derived from 200108 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program data on product-related injuries treated at US emergency departments (EDs). CANSI-related medical care was examined using 200309 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys, representing all US ED visits. Cost analyses used 2010 Current Procedural Terminology Coding and Medicare rates. In 200108, an estimated 16 677 CANSIs were treated in US EDs, with an associated annual rate of 0.7 per 100 000 US citizens (95 CI 0.60.8) and no observable temporal trend. The estimated maximum annual medical cost of ED-treated CANSIs was $9.8 million, or $0.03 per citizen, $1.66 per insulin-injecting person and $0.0018 per insulin injection. US ED-treated CANSI rates are extremely low. Stricter disposal programs and the at-home use of safety devices do not appear to be needed at this time.