By Barbara Tone, RN Atlanta. The Nov. 23 report noted that 600,000 to 800,000 workers are injured by needlesticks each year. The alert includes recommendations for evaluating and using safety devices, analyzing workplace injuries, developing prevention programs, training healthcare workers, and reporting and following up on injuries. Representatives from a wide range of healthcare groups, including nursing organizations, helped develop the recommendations. The ANA does have reservations.
Frontline input is critical to the process.
Safety devices have been shown to reduce injuries by up to 88 percent. According to ANA information, only 15 percent of hospitals currently use such devices. Representatives of the American Hospital Association, which is working on its own programs to help hospitals avoid needle accidents, were not available for comment.