Percutaneous exposure of medical students to HIV.

A preliminary survey of 42 fourth-year medical students at Cornell University Medical College found that 21% of the students (95% confidence interval, 9% to 34%) reported being stuck by an HIV-contaminated needle during the third and fourth years of medical school. Seventy-four percent believed their school had not adequately taught them what to do after a needle-stick injury, and half of them would not seek the services of the school's student health clinic. If the risk of infection following percutaneous exposure to HIV approaches seroconversion rates seen in prospective studies, then medical students are experiencing a serious occupational exposure. More research in this area is clearly necessary, but immediate steps should be taken by medical colleges to address the risks among medical students and implement appropriate training and safeguards.