Objectives: The Sharps Injury Control (SHARPS) Program was established to evaluate sharps-related injury in California healthcare workers. Before passage of a revised Bloodborne Pathogens standard in 1999, SHARPS conducted a survey to identify safety device utilization, injury recordkeeping methods, and educational needs. Methods: SHARPS mailed a survey to all 3,002 California hospitals, home health agencies (HHA) and skilled nursing facilities (SNF) requesting information on the above-mentioned topics. Follow-up postcards and second survey were mailed to non-responders. Results: The response rate among eligible (N=2,561) was 50%, with hospitals (58%) responding more often than HHAs (39%), or SNFs (52%). Only 29% of HHAs and SNFs reported experience in testing safety devices compared to 82% of hospitals. Eighty-four percent of agencies expressed a need for educational material on device selection, injury surveillance or bloodborne pathogens. Among all respondents, 75% reported using at least one type of safety syringe or needleless systems; safety lancets (75%); safety catheters or IV products (71%); and safety blood collection devices (53%). Ninety percent of facilities state they record the type of sharp involved, but only 66% record the manufacturer or brand. Conclusion: Despite a 1996 California law requiring facilities to collect data on type/brand of devices, facilities are not able to consistently determine this. HHAs and SNFs have little experience with testing safety devices, while most facilities have a pressing need for educational material. Additional outreach and training would help address these deficiencies.
Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the new laws in California to protect health care workers, including usage of needleless sytems and needles with engineered sharps injury protection. 2. Identify safety device utilization, injury recordkeeping patterns and educational needs for agencies in California. 3. Assess differences between hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies in device selection and injury surveillance
Keywords: Occupational Surveillance, Medical Devices
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.