Take Precautions, Prevent Needlestick Injury

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April 14, 2010 12:04 PM

Take Precautions, Prevent Needlestick Injury

By Zulkiple Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- Injuries and cuts caused by sharp medical

instruments among healthcare personnel in the clinical environment warrant

serious attention due to the existence of highly infectious diseases such

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C apart from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

According to Cheah May Choo, the marketing manager for B. Braun Medical Supplies

Sdn Bhd's Hospital Care Division, a study carried out at a local hospital showed

that the majority of healthcare personnel affected by these injuries were

nurses.

Among these sharps (sharp medical instruments) injuries, the majority is that

caused by the needlestick, she said.

Among the needles used in the hospital or clinical environment are the

hypodermic (injection) needles used to administer medications and fluids, that

used to take blood samples as well as the fistula needles used in haemodialysis.

WHAT IS NEEDLESTICK INJURY?

According to Cheah, needlestick injuries are wounds caused by needles that

accidentally puncture the skin.

" Needlestick injuries are a hazard for people who work with hypodermic syringes

and other needle equipment.

" Accidental punctures by contaminated needles can inject hazardous fluids into

the body through the skin. There is potential for injection of hazardous drugs

but injection of infectious fluids, especially blood, is by far the greatest

concern, " she said.

Even small amounts of infectious fluid can spread certain diseases effectively.

Cheah said accidental injection of blood-borne viruses is the major hazard of

needlestick injuries, especially the viruses that cause AIDS (the HIV virus),

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

COMMON HAZARD

Cheah said needlestick injuries are a common hazard. Some hospitals report one

third of nursing and laboratory staff suffer such injuries each year.

How does this injury comes about?

" Needlestick injuries can occur during and after using the device due to a

variety of reasons. These include working conditions, the nature of the

procedure, experience of healthcare workers and disposal of the device.

" Some commonly occur when workers dispose of needles. They occur when staff are

using special containers for needles and sharps. They also occur when needles

are disposed of improperly in regular garbage bins or lost in the workplace, "

said Cheah.

Up to 30 per cent of needlestick injuries of nursing and laboratory staff occur

when workers attempt to dispose needles using 'sharps containers'.

The accidents may also occur while carrying the needle to the disposal

container, especially when the needle is uncapped and mixed with other trash.

" The injuries can occur while placing the needle into an overfilled disposal

container or while emptying disposal containers instead of using properly sealed

bags before being sent for proper disposal. "

She said virtually all needlestick injuries of domestic and portering

housekeeping staff are from needles that have either been lost in the workplace

or thrown into regular normal garbage.

Janitors and garbage handlers can also experience needlestick injuries or cuts

from 'sharps' when handling trash that contains needles or scalpels, she said.

PREVENTION OF NEEDLESTICK INJURIES

Preventing needlestick injuries is the most effective way to protect workers

from the infectious diseases that needlestick accidents transmit.

A comprehensive needlestick injury prevention programme would include employee

training, recommended guidelines, safe recapping procedures and effective

disposal systems.

Cheah said most needlestick injuries can be prevented with the use of safety

devices, which, in conjunction with worker education and training and work

practice controls, can reduce injuries by over 90 per cent.

" Be proactive in preventing needlestick injuries in your workplace setting. Talk

to your employer if you are not aware of an exposure control plan or do not have

access to safety devices.

" Actively participate in the evaluation of new or existing safety devices. Look

for features that will add to your safety, " she said.

Cheah said devices that could prevent needlestick injuries are that with

features that permit the practitioner's hands to remain behind the needle at all

times.

" The devices should be simple and easy to use and can be used effectively by

both left and right handed employees, " she added.

Needlestick injuries are among the topics to be discussed at the two-day Safety

in Health Care Conference on April 15-16. The event is organised by the

Malaysian Society for Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy and the Aesculap

Academy.

-- BERNAMA