Safe Acupuncture

What is the health concern in acupuncture?

  • Instruments and equipment used for acupuncture may become contaminated with blood or body fluids infected with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.
  • Instruments and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected or sterilized between clients to prevent the transmission of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.


You do not have to see blood or body fluids on instruments for an infection to occur.



Protect yourself…


  • Wash hands using liquid soap and warm water between clients.
  • Wear disposable gloves between clients.
  • Sterile needles that come packaged with a plastic sheath (also known as the guiding tube) are highly recommended. The sheath helps guide the needle more accuratedly and will help keep your hands on the needle ‘handle’ preventing accidental touching of the sterile part of the needle.


Protect your clients…


  • Only use single-use, disposable, sterile acupuncture needles.
  • Discard needles immediately after use, into a puncture-resistant sharps container, labeled “biohazard”.
  • Puncture-resistant sharps containers can not be discarded with municipal garbage.
  • Use a skin antiseptic such as 70% isopropyl alcohol to cleanse the area where the needle will be inserted.
  • If an electro-stimulation machine is used, the clippers that attach to the ‘handle’ of the needle must be disinfected with an intermediate or high level disinfectant between clients.
  • If bleeding occurs use a single-use cotton swab to quickly stop the bleeding, discard immediately.
  • Linens, towels or sheets must be laundered between clients and stored in a sanitary manner.
  • Head rests, worktables and chairs should be cleaned disinfected with a low level disinfected with a low level disinfectant between clients.
  • Keep client and accidental blood and body fluid exposure records for a minimum of one year.