catheters, and chest tubes. Engineering controls,

such as improved adhesive products and securement devices, may decrease or eliminate the need

for sutures and thus directly reduce needlestick

risk.

For catheters that do not require sutures for

securement, such as peripheral intravenous

catheters, healthcare workers typically use tape.

Careful and thorough catheter securement is

essential since ineffective securement may result

in catheter dislodgment. A variety of tapes, 

adhesive products, and catheter securement

devices are available. Appropriate products and

effective work practices are essential to provide

increased catheter stability. Such products and

work practices may reduce catheter dislodgment

and the necessity of reinsertion with its associated

needlestick risk. 

What OSHA requirements cover 

medical catheters?

OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR

1910.1030) requires that employers of workers with

occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials annually consider and

implement appropriate, available, and effective

safer medical devices designed to eliminate or

minimize that exposure [See 29 CFR 1910.1030

(c)(1)(iv)(B)]. Engineering controls that reduce the

potential for needlesticks by eliminating the need

to suture medical catheters in place are one option

for healthcare employers to consider. As part of

their annual review of methods to reduce needlesticks, employers must review options for securing

medical catheters and consider appropriate engineering and work practice controls. 

In this review, employers must include the input

of non-managerial employees responsible for

direct patient care who are potentially exposed to

injuries from contaminated sharps in the identification, evaluation, and selection of effective engineering and work practice controls [See 29 CFR

1910.1030(c)(1)(v)].

What are medical catheters? 

Medical catheters are tubes used in healthcare to

deliver intravenous fluids and medications or to

drain body fluids. Examples include vascular

access devices and chest drainage tubes.

What hazards do medical catheters 

pose to healthcare workers?

Catheters used for vascular access must be inserted with a needle. Inserting a catheter exposes the

healthcare worker to the risk of a needlestick.

Sharps with engineered sharps injury protection

(SESIPs) reduce workers' risk of needlesticks, but,

unless they are effectively secured, intravenous

catheters may migrate or become dislodged and

require reinsertion.

Some vascular access devices and chest drainage

tubes have traditionally been secured with

sutures. This process directly exposes the healthcare worker to the risk of a needlestick injury from

the suture needle. Therefore, for healthcare workers using medical catheters, the process of suturing these devices presents needlestick hazards. 

Who is at risk?

Healthcare workers who insert and suture in place

medical catheters such as vascular devices and

chest tubes face needlestick risks. These workers

may include physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and emergency responders.

What are the options for securing 

medical catheters?

Generally, OSHA does not require the use of specific engineering controls or work practices. OSHA

relies on the professional judgment of healthcare

workers who insert and secure catheters to assess

each situation and determine the appropriate

methods and work practices to secure catheters

and minimize risk of dislodgment.

Healthcare workers have customarily used tape or

sutures to secure medical catheters. Typically, they

use sutures for central venous catheters, arterial

FactSheet

Securing Medical Catheters
How can I get more information? 

Information on needlestick hazards, including 

the full text of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

standard, is available on OSHA's website at

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/

index.html 

U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov

(800) 321-OSHA

Think Safety!

For more complete information: