In the event of a needlestick injury, what should the phlebotomist do after washing the site?

After a needlestick injury, it is vital for a phlebotomist to fill out an incident report after washing the site. The incident report serves several essential purposes: it documents the details of the incident for future reference, helps in tracking potential exposure to infectious diseases, and ensures that appropriate follow-up actions are taken. This documentation is crucial for patient safety and maintaining workplace health standards.

Completing an incident report allows healthcare facilities to assess the prevalence of such injuries, adapt safety protocols as necessary, and provide informed training for their staff. Furthermore, it may trigger additional measures such as testing the source patient for bloodborne pathogens. Proper reporting contributes to overall infection control and prevention strategies within the healthcare setting.