Be aware of needlestick danger
2005-05-05All Content Copyright 2005
National Trade Publications Inc.
Two cleaners were stuck with hypodermic needles during cleaning in Olympic athletes' residences in Sydney, Australia last week. It's a painful reminder to employers to familiarize themselves and staff with guidelines involving the handling of such materials.
The housekeepers received needlestick injuries from syringes that had not been properly disposed of. According to officials, the syringes are used by athletes to inject vitamins, usually B12.
To prevent incidents such as this, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has directives to help minimize health risks faced by cleaners and other heath care workers who could potentially be exposed to blood and other infectious materials by needlesticks.
OSHA's directive mandates that employers "must use engineering and work practice controls that eliminate occupational exposure or reduce it to the lowest feasible extent." The directive also refers employers to safety lists compiled by the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet).
Venetec International, the manufacturer of StatLock catheter securement devices, has created the Needlestick Safety Information Program (NSIP) to help healthcare workers comply with OSHA's directives and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The NSIP program offers an instruction manual, "Protecting Healthcare Workers from Needlesticks," which includes information on relevant laws and directives, an overview of safety devices and forms for assessing needlestick prevention technology.
More information on the needlestick directive can be found at the OSHA Web site: www.osha.gov.
For information about the NSIP program, call (800) 833-3895 x162, to reach Pam Tan, NSIP national coordinator.