1 8 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6
H
ow many healthcare workers will be stuck by needles or
sliced by some other sharp object today? How many will be
exposed to bloodborne pathogens, or at least suffer a nasty
gash? The CDC has estimated that it happens about 385,000
times a year. That's more than a thousand cuts, punctures and
abrasions a day — or nearly one every minute. In other words, there's a good
chance someone, somewhere got stuck in the time it took you to read this para-
graph. We must — and can — do more to reduce the number of these potential-
ly life-altering events. Here's how you can be part of the solution.
1. Shop the solutions
It's critical that you involve staff members in the evaluation and selection of
new safety devices. In addition to being required by the OSHA Bloodborne
The Finer Points
Of Sharps Safety
• PASS FAIL? After a significant decline, the rate of sharps injuries has plateaued in the last several years.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
Focus on these 4 areas to reduce risks of cuts and sticks.
Angela Laramie, MPH | Boston, Mass.
