ID :
116697
Thu, 04/15/2010 - 08:24
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/116697
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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
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
