By Erin Hagan
Each year, healthcare workers experience an estimated 385,000 injuries resulting from accidental needle sticks and contact with sharp medical tools. That’s why every December, International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month serves as a critical reminder of the importance of following proper procedures when handling needles and other medical sharps.
Dynarex offers premium sharps safety devices to help facilities and healthcare professionals reduce their risk of injury.
Understanding Sharps Injuries
Sharps injuries happen when needles, scalpels, or other sharp medical items accidentally puncture or cut a healthcare worker, potentially exposing them to harmful viruses like HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), or hepatitis C (HCV). Other risks include infections such as syphilis, malaria, and herpes. Alarmingly, healthcare professionals account for nearly half of all reported sharps injuries in the United States.
Stay Safe, Stay Sharp: Best Practices for Sharps Safety
Creating a safer healthcare environment starts with implementing effective sharps safety strategies. The CDC recommends the following practices to significantly reduce the risk of injuries:
- Provide Comprehensive Training: Regular training equips workers with the knowledge and skills to safely handle and dispose of sharps. Training programs should include hands-on sessions, workplace drills, and simulations to ensure preparedness.
- Adopt Specialized Strategies: Implementing neutral zone passing is a key strategy to eliminate hand-to-hand transfers of sharps during surgical procedures. In this practice, a designated area or “neutral zone” is established on the sterile field where sharps (such as needles and scalpels) are safely placed without direct hand-to-hand contact between surgical team members.
- Ensure Proper Disposal: Promptly dispose of sharps in puncture-resistant sharps containers placed in accessible locations. This simple practice prevents accidents and allows for safe handling.
Innovations in Sharps Safety
Advancements in technology have transformed sharps safety by introducing innovative solutions that significantly reduce the risk of needle-related injuries. By integrating the latest effective tools, facilities can better address sharps challenges, minimize exposure to pathogens, and promote a culture of safety.
- Safety-Engineered Devices: Retractable needles, self-capping needles, and shielded scalpels are designed to minimize accidental needle sticks and cuts.
- Needleless Systems: These systems use alternative methods like luer-activated valves to reduce the need for needles, significantly decreasing the risk of injuries.
- Smart Sharps Containers: Some containers are equipped with sensors to monitor fill levels and alert staff when they need to be replaced, reducing the risk of overflowing and accidental exposure.
Speak Up!
Despite best efforts, sharps injuries can still occur. When they do, prompt reporting is essential. Misconceptions, like fearing incompetence or assuming low risk, often lead to underreporting, delaying critical treatments and increasing health risks. Reporting all injuries ensures timely care, identifies high-risk areas, and supports preventive measures in healthcare facilities.
Sharpen Your Safety Game!
Sharps safety is not optional—it’s a necessity. The thousands of sharps injuries that occur annually highlight the critical need for action. By adopting safety-engineered devices, proper handling techniques, and regular training, healthcare facilities can create safer environments for their teams.
This December and beyond, let’s commit to spreading awareness, prioritizing safety measures, and protecting those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.
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