Recapping needles after use is discouraged because it significantly increases the risk of needlestick injuries, which can transmit bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis B or C. Instead, used needles should be immediately disposed of in an approved sharps container without recapping. This practice is a critical component of standard precautions to protect healthcare workers from exposure to infectious materials. Proper hand hygiene, use of gloves, and wearing masks during procedures with splash risk are recommended, but recapping needles is not standard precaution for infection prevention.

Reference: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, J. S. Bennett et al., 6th Edition.