needlestick injuries

Started by pa-tricia
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pa-tricia

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I am new to this forum. I had to ask everyone about needlestick safety. As a new nurse I was stuck with a dirty needle left in a bed. I am now vigilent about about needle safety and always use the needle-protective device if it is availiable. But I am so surprised by the number of nurses I see not activating the needle safety devices. Do you all always use the devices and what do you think of them?
 
I have never seen them in use here in the UK. I know they exist, we have even been shown them by medical reps, but as they are more expensive than conventional hypodermic needles, the hospitals will not purchase them.
 
Hey there
I think the safey devices are good, though some of them are a little tricky and I know some people are affraid of using them (though I always loved them). But regardless of that, I think the MOST important thing is immediate proper disposal of used needles. I have never seen old needles left around (though I have heard of horro stories of such, but I thought that was back in the day when people were less cautious about disease transmission) Some places don't even ahve the safety devices so I gues smy best advice to you would be to maybe talk to a supervisor and have some sort of inservice about proper and immediate needle disposal. In the event that something does happen follow up with the proper prophylactic tx. Good luck
J
 
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I was under the impression that needle-less and protected needles were now required by OSHA in the US.. maybe I was mistaken.

agree with the above.. just be very very careful. And remember, if you do have a needlestick injury, the chances of your actually becoming infected with something (if the "donor" was infected) is something on the order of 1:250. 🙂

jd
 
DeLaughterDO said:
I was under the impression that needle-less and protected needles were now required by OSHA in the US.. maybe I was mistaken.

agree with the above.. just be very very careful. And remember, if you do have a needlestick injury, the chances of your actually becoming infected with something (if the "donor" was infected) is something on the order of 1:250. 🙂

jd
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You are correct- it is an OSHA requirement. Some states (TN included) also have strict regulations governing the use of safety devices (needles, IV equip, scalpels, etc)> 🙂
 
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