Sentinal™ & Samplar™: Winners of the UK Lab Consumables Innovation Award 2022 and Best Consumer Innovation Award 2023.
Safety Resources
Needlestick Injuries
Safety Engineered Sampling Deivce
Safety Resources
The World’s First Safety Engineered Needlestick Safe Blood Sampling Adaptor, Samplar is the first Safety Engineered Device (SED) for transferring samples of platelet or blood from a bag into a test or culture bottle. It is used in quality control of platelets or other blood products.
Sources from (CDC) Centers of Disease Control & Prevention
385,000 NSI Occur Each Year
Needlestick injuries are a serious occupational hazard for healthcare workers in the United States. They can result in a variety of health risks, including exposure to infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 385,000 needlestick injuries that occur each year in the United States, with nurses and other healthcare workers accounting for the majority of these injuries.
The risk of needlestick injuries can vary depending on the type of healthcare setting. For example, emergency room workers and nurses in intensive care units are at a higher risk of experiencing a needlestick injury than those who work in outpatient clinics. This is because these workers are more likely to encounter patients who are sick or have infectious diseases.
In addition to the risk of exposure to infectious diseases, needlestick injuries can also result in other health complications. For example, they can cause nerve damage, which can result in chronic pain and loss of sensation in the affected area. They can also lead to emotional distress, as healthcare workers who experience a needlestick injury may worry about their own health and the health of their loved ones.
SED – Safety Engineered Device
Do Not Provide Adequate Training & Equipment
Despite the risks associated with needlestick injuries, many healthcare workers continue to experience them. This is partly due to the fact that some healthcare facilities do not provide adequate training or equipment to prevent these injuries. For example, some facilities may not provide safety needles, which are designed to reduce the risk of accidental needlesticks. Other facilities may not provide adequate training on how to safely handle and dispose of needles.
To address the issue of needlestick injuries, there are several measures that healthcare facilities can take. One of the most effective measures is to provide safety needles to healthcare workers. These needles are designed with special safety features that prevent accidental needlesticks. For example, some safety needles have a retractable needle that retracts into the syringe after use, reducing the risk of accidental puncture.
In addition to providing safety needles, healthcare facilities can also implement other measures to prevent needlestick injuries. For example, they can provide training to healthcare workers on how to safely handle and dispose of needles. They can also establish policies and procedures for reporting and treating needlestick injuries, which can help to ensure that healthcare workers receive prompt medical attention if they are injured.
SED – Safety Engineered Device
Promote a Culture of Safety in Healthcare Facilities
Another important measure for preventing needlestick injuries is to promote a culture of safety within healthcare facilities. This can involve encouraging healthcare workers to speak up if they feel that safety protocols are not being followed. It can also involve regular safety audits and assessments to identify areas where improvements can be made.
In addition to these measures, there are also steps that healthcare workers can take to reduce their risk of needlestick injuries. For example, they can use gloves and other personal protective equipment when handling needles. They can also be careful to avoid recapping needles after use, as this can increase the risk of accidental puncture.
In conclusion, needlestick injuries are a serious occupational hazard for healthcare workers in the United States. They can result in a variety of health risks, including exposure to infectious diseases and other health complications. To address this issue, healthcare facilities can provide safety needles, implement training and policies for safe needle handling, promote a culture of safety, and encourage healthcare workers to take steps to reduce their risk of injury. By taking these measures, healthcare facilities can help to ensure that their workers are safe and protected from the risks associated with needlestick injuries.
Regulatory Information
Sharps Legislation / Regulation
Governments around the world have recognised the enormous unnecessary costs of accidental needlestick injuries (NSI) in the medical and healthcare sector. Research shows that the implementation of safety – engineered devices (SED’s) can reduce injuries by 70 per cent* (Nbnu.ca)