A Widespread but Underappreciated Hazard

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a near-universal occurrence in veterinary medicine, yet they remain significantly underrecognized compared to human healthcare. A survey of veterinary technicians found that 93% had experienced at least one NSI during their career, and 74% sustained one in the past year; many incidents went unreported [1].

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In Australian veterinarians, 75% reported at least one NSI in the previous 12 months, with nearly 59% involving contaminated devices [2]. An international systematic review placed the physical hazard prevalence, including NSIs, among veterinarians at 65%, highlighting the profession-wide scope of the problem [3].
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High-Risk Scenarios: When Animals, Needles, and Pressure Collide

Veterinary professionals frequently perform procedures that increase NSI risk. Rapid-fire vaccinations on fractious animals, unexpected movement during anesthesia induction or recovery, blood draws without full visual control, and repetitive needle recapping are all common risk factors. Studies have identified vaccine administration, blood collection, and needle recapping as leading causes of NSIs, especially under time pressure or when staffing is insufficient for safe restraint [1][3].

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Besides these hazards, many NSIs involve exposure to hazardous substances, such as anesthetics, disinfectants, vaccines, and euthanasia agents, which may cause additional tissue reactions or other health consequences [1][3].
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Why NSIs Are Often Underreported in Veterinary Medicine

Needlestick injuries are frequently normalized in veterinary practice. Many professionals regard them as an unavoidable part of the job, contributing to widespread underreporting. In some studies, fewer than 10% of affected staff reported taking time off after an NSI, viewing recovery as unnecessary unless the injury was medically significant [1]. This normalization not only leaves many incidents untracked but also prevents institutions from understanding the real scale of risk and taking targeted action.
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Translating Awareness Into Action: Reducing NSIs in Veterinary Practice

• Cultivating a Safety-First Culture: Veterinary clinics must shift perceptions, NSIs are neither unavoidable nor trivial. Reporting should be encouraged, with clear protocols ensuring that every incident is documented, assessed, and used to refine safety protocols.
• Training and Staffing for Safety: Providing adequate staffing for animal restraint and practical training on safe needle handling, including avoiding two-handed recapping, can dramatically reduce risk. Ongoing education in real-world clinical contexts supports safer habits.
• Engineering Controls Matter: Safety-engineered devices are not just for human healthcare, they have critical application in veterinary settings. Tools like HypoHolder, a Class I FDA‑registered device, support safe, one-handed uncapping, recapping, and disposal of hypodermic needles, easing safe practice on fractious or mobile animals. Integrating such intuitive engineering controls can transform behavior under pressure.
• Proactive Prevention Beyond the Needle: Safe animal handling protocols, surgical workflow planning, and ergonomic clinic design all contribute to reduced NSI risk. Mindful scheduling, environmental controls, and waste disposal systems should all be part of a comprehensive prevention strategy.
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Protecting Veterinary Professionals Through Awareness and Innovation

Needlestick injuries in veterinary settings are neither rare nor trivial, they are almost universal and carry unique risks beyond those found in human medicine. By committing to cultural change, strengthening reporting mechanisms, improving training and staffing, and adopting intuitive safety tools like HypoHolder, the veterinary profession can turn NSI prevention from aspiration into achievable reality. This is essential not just for clinician safety, but for the well-being of every animal and professional team member who relies on it.