Issues in Understanding the Impact of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act on Hospital Sharps Injuries

Abstract

While the data cannot demonstrate cause and effect, the evidence suggests a reduction in hospital worker injury rates related to the NSPA, regardless of denominator. It also suggests an association between the increase in safety-engineered devices and the reduction in overall injury rates. The decreases observed translate into significant reductions in injuries and associated costs.

Impact of Safety-Engineered Devices on the Incidence of Occupational Blood and Body Fluid Exposures Among Healthcare Personnel in an Academic Facility, 2000–2014

“…1,4 Direct costs of follow-up for HCP with percutaneous injuries have ranged from $500 to $3,000. 5,6 The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was enacted in the United States in 2001 and requires employers to provide HCP with safety-engineered devices and to document needlestick injuries. 7 Legislative actions and advanced technologies, especially dissemination of safety-engineered devices, have aided in protecting HCP from occupational exposures to BBP.…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Needlestick Injuries Among Healthcare Workers in the Emergency Department in a Tertiary Health Care Centre in Kolkata

“…43,44 Increasing recognition of the unique occupational hazard posed by needle stick injuries, as well as the development of efficacious interventions to minimize the largely preventable occupational risk, encouraged legislative regulation in the us, causing a decline in needle stick injuries among healthcare workers. 45,46 Isara ar et al 69 (2015) found that healthcare workers (HCWs) are continually exposed to hazards from contact with blood and body fluids of patients in the healthcare setting. To determine the prevalence of needle stick injuries (NSI s) and associated factors among HCWs in the accident and emergency department of the university of benin teaching hospital (ubth), benin city, nigeria.…”

Technologies to Improve Immunization

“…One study found that beginning in 2001, this resulted in a drop of more than one-third in needlestick injuries-with approximate annual reductions of 100,000and a cost savings of $69 million to $415 million. 81 However, a Cochrane review concluded there was no clear evidence of benefit with use of these devices, despite their increased costs. 82 To achieve WHO prequalification, vaccines in prefilled syringes are required to have an autodisable or reuseprevention feature.…”