should be a banner year for sharps safety, but there are still big issues
going unaddressed in many ORs. Dr. Mitchell says the data her organi-
zation has collected reveal the largest numbers of sharps injuries are
occurring from suture needles, which account for almost a quarter of
all devices used in healthcare settings that cause sharps-related harm.
"Typically, disposable syringes have been the number one device
causing injuries year after year, but over the last two to three years
we've seen suture needles surpass them," says Dr. Mitchell, who adds
nurses typically are injured by disposable syringes, while physicians
typically are injured by suture needles.
"There have been a lot of advancements in safer devices for dis-
posable syringes — retracting needles and microneedles — and
using oral medications instead of injectables," she says. "For skin
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 8 7
TAKE A HANDS-OFF APPROACH TO SHARPS SAFETY
SANDEL
®
SHARPS SAFETY PRODUCTS HELP MEET AORN GUIDELINES
According to one study, 75% of sharps injuries in the O.R. occur during the passing or use of sharps.¹
Sharps safety products from Ansell allow you to pass sharps using hands-free techniques. And that lets
you focus on the procedure at hand.
Safety Scalpels
Change-A-Blade™
Safety Scalpel Handle
Z-Friction Drape™
Neutral Zone
SharpsRink™
Neutral Zone
Z-Tray™ and Stretch-A-Tray™
Hands-Free Transfer Trays
For more information or to receive a sample, visit www.ansell.com/sharpssafety or call 866-764-3327
1. Jagger J, Berguer R, Phillips EK, Parker G, Gomaa AE. Increase in sharps injuries in surgical settings versus nonsurgical settings after passage of national needlestick legislation. J Am Coll Surg. 2010;210(4):496-502.
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