According to the World Health Organisation, there are two million injuries from needle sticks and other sharp objects to the world’s 35 million healthcare workers every year.
In Australia alone, there are 18,500 reports of needle and sharps injuries to healthcare professionals a year ⎼ around half of all injuries are not reported. Studies have also shown the incidence of needle stick injury among healthcare professionals giving injections to patients with diabetes or drawing blood with lancets is just as high, or higher, among than workers in other departments or wards.
Safety devices are important preventative strategies for reducing occupational exposures. The introduction of passive safety-engineered devices has substantially reduced the incidence of needle stick injuries by 22-100 per cent.
According to medical technology company BD, passive devices require no input from the user, which is important when healthcare personnel are working long hours or night shifts as well as in emergency situations, all of which are associated with a higher rate of needle stick injuries (NSIs). Passive safety devices also eliminate the need for extensive training.
With a history of healthcare advocacy, BD supported the Needle Stick Safety and Prevention Act in the US and continues to support the adoption of formal safety protocols and the use of safety devices.
The BD AutoShield Duo Safety Pen Needle, for use in hospitals and aged-care facilities, reduces the risk of NSIs and ensures injectable diabetes medication can be administered safely and accurately. According to the manufacturer, the BD AutoShield Duo Safety Pen Needle is the first and only pen needle that offers passive dual-ended safety in Australia. Safety shields deploy at the front and the back of the needle post-use, protecting both healthcare workers and patient.
The AutoShield Duo Safety Pen Needle is available with a 5mm needle length, which may reduce the risk of intramuscular injection compared with 8mm and 6mm pen needles and is suitable for all people including obese patients.
For more information on the BD range of safety pen needles and syringes, please contact 02 8875 7142 or via email: bd_diabetes_care_anz@bd.com.
