What technique should be used to recap needles safely?

The scoop technique is the correct method for recapping needles safely because it minimizes the risk of accidental needlestick injuries, which can pose serious health risks to healthcare workers. This technique involves using a one-handed motion to place the needle cap back onto the needle without directly using the opposite hand to hold the cap. By positioning the cap on a flat surface and bringing the needle down towards it, the risk of the needle accidentally pricking the user is significantly reduced.

This approach is in line with safety guidelines that emphasize the importance of using strategies that involve minimal hand contact with the needle during recapping to enhance safety in clinical settings. Other methods, such as twisting and turning, pushing and sliding, or covering with gauze, may lead to increased chances of injury, as these do not provide the same level of protection against needle stick accidents.