NIOSH and OSHA Publish Needle Stick Bulletin
In the interest of reducing needle sticks during suturing, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the US Department of Labor and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB). The publication details evidence to support use of blunt-tip needles for suturing.
The SHIB also discusses the increased risks associated with using sharp-tip needles. In particular, these increase the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens following needle sticks for patients and caregivers alike. Such needles are the cause of well over half the incidents of penetrating injuries in the operating room. Use of blunt-tip needles, as appropriate, was previously endorsed by the American College of Surgeons.
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April 13, 2007 Related topics: Standards, Quality, Safety, Errors, Surgery