After experiencing a needlestick injury, what should the PCT do?

Completing an incident report after a needlestick injury is the appropriate action because it formally documents the incident for medical and legal purposes. This report not only serves as a record for the healthcare facility to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the injury but also helps in improving safety protocols and preventing future occurrences. Incident reports are critical in understanding trends and training needs related to workplace safety.

While attending bloodborne pathogen training is important for overall safety and to prevent further exposure, it is not an immediate response to the injury that has already occurred. Documenting the event in the patient's medical record is also significant, but the incident report provides a more detailed account intended for internal review and policy improvement. Recapping the needle and disposing of it is unsafe practice and against protocol, as it increases the risk of further injury or exposure. Therefore, the initial step following a needlestick would be to complete an incident report.