A Comprehensive Approach to Percutaneous Injury Prevention During Phlebotomy: Results of a Multicenter Study, 1993-1995

Abstract

Device-specific features and healthcare worker training and involvement in the selection of ESIPDs affect the activation rates for ESIPDs and therefore their efficacy. The implementation of ESIPDs is a useful measure in a comprehensive program to reduce percutaneous injuries associated with phlebotomy procedures.

Needle-stick injuries in the National Health Service: a culture of silence

“…Workload pressures and time constraints are likely to cause both needle-stick injuries 10,11 and underreporting. Our survey does not indicate whether the advent of safer needle devices, [12][13][14] has lessened the risk of injury. Initial studies indicate these devices to be cost-effective, and introduction in some hospitals in the United States has become compulsory.…”

Lessons Regarding Percutaneous Injuries Among Healthcare Providers

“…40 Using an extensive hands-on training program and implementation of the device throughout the facility, the authors demonstrated an approximate twofold reduction in the injury rate with such devices. Although the effect of this engineered sharps injury protective device on injuries did not reach significance in the prior, larger study, 39 Mendelson et al demonstrated an effect in their large referral hospital. 40 Importantly, this effect was maintained during a 31-month follow-up period.…”

“…37,38 Two articles in this issue provide further convincing evidence of die role of engineered sharps injury protective devices, when incorporated as part of a comprehensive program to protect healthcare workers. 39,40 However, as these studies and other research show, adequate training must be provided in the appropriate use of these devices. Even when "safer" sharps devices are made available and used, they are often not adequately activated.…”

“…The multisite study by Alvarado-Ramy and colleagues convincingly demonstrates that a program including enhanced surveillance; assessment of underreporting; local selection, implementation, and evaluation of engineered sharps injury protective devices; and follow-up assessments of satisfaction, activation, and efficacy leads to a decreased risk of percutaneous injury. 39 Activation of the safety features varied dramatically by site, and appeared to be influenced by extent of training, ease of use, user preference, and attitudes regarding perceived adverse events among patients. The authors suggested that involvement of healthcare workers in the selection of devices and their active involvement in training with the devices were likely to affect activation rates, adherence, and efficacy.…”

Accidentes con exposición a material biológico contaminado por VIH en trabajadores de un hospital de tercer nivel de Madrid (1986-2001)

“…El uso de dispositivos médicos de bioseguridad aumenta la seguridad de los trabajadores sanitarios 41 , pero debe ser considerado como un componente de un programa más extenso para prevenir la transmisión ocupacional de VIH en el medio sanitario. El conjunto de todas las medidas de control administrativas y de ingeniería es, junto con el uso de equipos de protección individual y prácticas de trabajo más seguras, la manera más efectiva de prevenir la exposición ocupacional al VIH.…”