Facts About Needlestick Dangers To All Healthcare Workers In Hayward, CA
One of the greatest dangers to healthcare workers is the chance of being stuck with dirty needles, or “sharps” as they are often referred to. Here are some facts about needlestick safety of which all healthcare workers should be aware.
More Common Than You Think
The Center for Disease Control reports that for every 5 healthcare workers in the United States, one has suffered injuries from a needlestick. In hospitals alone, more than 385,000 accidents involving needlesticks occur. The numbers jump all the way to over 800,000 when all medical facilities such as nursing homes and doctor’s offices are taken into account.
Infections
When proper needlestick safety protocols are not followed, healthcare workers are increasingly at risk for infectious diseases. These include Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and a host of others that could prove to be life-threatening. Lack of safety also sets the medical facility up for severe lawsuits for failing to provide a safe work environment.
Safety Devices
Numerous studies have shown that when protections such as sharps injury prevention devices are implemented, the rate of injuries and subsequent infections decline drastically. The devices with the highest rate of decline include IV access ports that do not require needles and suture needles which are blunt.
The Law
The law quite clearly states that having safety programs in effect is required for all medical facilities, not just hospitals. OSHA also has standards in place which much be met or the facility risks losing their license to practice.
For more information on needlestick safety, contact Sharp Fluidics.
