Elimination of Sharps Injuries

Healthcare workers face exposure to injuries inflicted accidently by the numerous devices used to cut or puncture skin, such as syringes and scalpel blades scissors. In addition, they may have to handle broken glass or plastic which has the capacity to inflict cuts. Collectively, such waste is known as ‘sharp waste’ or simply ‘sharps’. Even small wounds from such waste can potentially transmit bloodborne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, placing healthcare workers at particular risk.

Such injuries, collectively known as ‘needlestick’ injuries, are a common event in the healthcare environment. Indeed, some studies estimate the number of such injuries in Europe each year at approximately 1,200,000. They can occur in a number of situations; when taking blood samples, when administering an injection, or performing other procedures involving sharps, the needle can slip and injure the healthcare worker. They can also occur when recapping needles or by poor disposal of sharp waste. Generally speaking, although needlestick injuries may only cause minor cuts or bleeding, they can also carry the risk of viral infection. Such injuries are one of the most common and serious risks to healthcare workers, with a substantial cost for health systems and society in general.

Clearly, good technique can go a long way to reducing needlestick injuries, including best practice in the disposal of sharps, but a degree of risk will always remain. Medical technology manufacturers are continuously addressing this challenge, developing safer approaches to injections which minimise the chances of needlestick injuries occurring. For example syringes with retractable needles, as well as catheters equipped with safety shields, are now available, both of which reduce the chances of encountering an exposed needle. In addition, the industry supports the 2009proposal for a Council Directive on “the implementation of a Framework Agreement on the prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector”. The aim of the proposal is to give legal effect to the Framework Agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector signed on 17 July 2009 by HOSPEEM (European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association) and EPSU (European Federation of Public Services Unions). The goals of the Framework Agreement are to protect workers at risk of injury from all medical ‘sharps’ and to prevent the risk of injuries and infections caused by medical sharps. It provides for an integrated approach to risk assessment, risk prevention, training, information, awareness-raising and monitoring and for response and follow-up procedures. The Agreement and this proposal contribute to achieving the safest possible working environment in the hospital and healthcare sector.