Preventing Needlesticks and Other Sharps InjuriesEverything You Need to Know

1
Preventing Needlesticks and Other Sharps
InjuriesEverything You Need to Know
Part II Safer Sharps Devices
2
What Strategies Exist to Eliminate Sharps
Injuries?

• Eliminate or reduce the use of needles and other
  sharps
• Use devices with safety features to isolate
  sharps
• Use safe practices to minimize risk for hazards

3
Eliminate or Reduce Unnecessary Needle Use
First Strategy
4
How Can Needle Use Be Eliminated or Reduced?

• Use needle-free IV delivery systems
• Use alternate routes for medication delivery and
  specimen collection when available and safe for
  patient care
• Streamline specimen collection systems
• Other ideas?

5
Needle-Free IV Delivery Systems

• IV delivery systems use valved ports and
  connectors, pre-pierced septa using blunt
  cannulas, or recessed protected needle connectors

6
Needle-Free IV Delivery Systems
Use aseptic technique when handling these
systems!!!
7
How Can Needle Use Be Eliminated or Reduced?

• Use needle-free IV delivery systems
• Use alternate routes for medication delivery and
  specimen collection when available and safe for
  patient care
• Streamline specimen collection systems
• Other?

8
Use Devices with Safety Features Engineered to
Prevent Sharps Injuries
Next Strategy
9
Safer Sharps Devices Engineered to Prevent
Sharps Injuries
10
Use Devices with Engineered Sharps Injury
Protection

• Hypodermic Needles
• Phlebotomy Needles
• IV Catheters
• Winged-Steel Needles
• IV Delivery Systems

• Lancets
• Scalpels
• Suture Needles
• Hemodialysis Needles

11
Safety Devices Key Features

• Are integrated into the device
• Provide immediate protection after use and
  throughout disposal
• Few devices provide protection during use
• Keep the workers hands from having to move in
  front of sharps

12
Safety Devices Key Concepts

• Most safety features are not passive
• The user must activate the safety mechanism to
  ensure protection
• It is not always obvious how some safety features
  work
• Training is necessary
• Safe work practices are important
• Safety devices alone do not completely prevent
  injuries

13
Injuries with Safety Devices in NaSH Hospitals,
June 1995December 2003 (n1,723)
34
73 records do not indicate the time of injury
with respect to safety feature activation
14
Sharps Disposal Containers
15
What Strategies Exist to Eliminate Sharps
Injuries?

• Eliminate or reduce the use of needles and other
  sharps
• Use devices with safety features to isolate
  sharps
• Use safe practices to minimize risk for hazards