You don't have to end-up with Hep C. You can be extra cautious. You can be a surgeon!
Here are some things to consider:
1. Double glove! (or triple if you know your patient is a carrier)
2. Good surgeons should always maintain control of the needle. Sure there is a learning curve and mistakes do happen,--but unless the patient is moving, why would one get stuck with the needle on a continual basis?
3. The needle should be passed with the tip enclosed in the driver. Not everyone does this. If a team works together regularly that might not be necessary but at least one should say, "needle" when handing it off.
4. I have not seen every surgery that exists, but from the many I've seen, it has never been necessary to actually handle the needle. Use your instruments!! (Maybe OBGyn when they use those strait sewing needles and central line kits with the strait needles--but you can always use instruments instead.)
5. Most surgeons who are performing elective procedures know about their patient's past medical history and risk factors for Hep. and other diseases. If a stick were to occur they may not be concerned because of the known low risk. Also they can order blood tests on their patient later if they want to know for sure, but this is probably unlikely.
6. I am pretty sure if someone gets "stuck" during a case, they are considered contaminated and should re-glove.
7. There have been a few cases here and there of surgeons contracting diseases from patients (mostly dentists/oral surgeons before the standard use of examination gloves). However, for the most part, your career choice will not kill you because of an infection.--This would be widely researched and known by now if it were a problem unique to the surgical field. However, if you are concerned about your future health, look into heart disease secondary to increased stress, poor sleep, and eating habbits.
8. Most importantly, practice safe technique! Just because others get lots of needle sticks doesn't mean that you have to.
Good luck! Do post your observations.
