Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T15:17:19.768Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Needlecaps to Prevent Needlestick Injuries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Walton Sumner II*
Affiliation:
University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
*
5020 Thomason, Columbus, GA 31909

Abstract

Hospital employees are at risk for numerous possible complications of accidental needlesticks. The mechanisms of such accidents suggest that many are preventable. This article presents a simple but novel revision of the needlecap which facilitates resheathing of a used needle. With routine use the hospital environment could be made safer for virtually all employees at almost no additional cost. Ultimate hospital savings could be significant through prevention of injury.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.AMA Council on Scientific Affairs: The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. JAMA 1984; 252(15):20372043.Google Scholar
2.An evaluation of the Acquired Inmiune Deficiency Syndrome reported in health care personnel—United States. MMWR 1983; 32:358360.Google Scholar
3.Belani, A. Dunning, R. Dutta, D, et al: AIDS in a hospital worker. Lancet 1984; 1:670.Google Scholar
4.Hirsh, MS, Wormser, CP, Schooley, RT, et al: Risk of nosocomial infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus III. N Engl J Med 1985: 312(1):14.Google Scholar
5.Gerberding, JL, Kaminsky, LS, Sande, MA: Transmission of hepatitis B without transmission of AIDS by accidental needlestick. N Engl J Med 1985; 312(1):56.Google Scholar
6.Ruben, FL, Norden, CW, Rockwell, K, et al: Epidemiology of accidental needle puncture wounds in hospital workers. Am J Med Sci 1983; 286(1):2630.Google Scholar
7.Kirkman-Liff, B, Dandoy, S: Hepatitis B—What price exposure? Am J Nurs 1984(August):988990.Google Scholar
8.Reuler, JB. Campbell, JA: Cost analysis of a needlestick protocol. Med Decis Making 1982; 2(2):133137.Google Scholar
9.Koplan, JP, Kane, MA: Editorial: Management of needle-stick exposures. Med Decis Making 1982; 2(2):129131.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Hambrick, GW, Cox, RP, Senior, JR: Primary herpes simplex infection of fingers of hospital personnel. Arch Dermatol 1902; 85:583589.Google Scholar
11.Sahn, SA, Pierson, DJ: Primaiy cutaneous drug resistant tuberculosis. Am J Med 1974; 57:676678.Google Scholar
12.Cannon, NJ: Malaria acquired by accidental needle puncture. JAMA 1972; 222: 1425.Google Scholar
13.Su, WPD, Muller, SA: Herpes zoster: Case report of possible accidental inoculation. Arch Dermatol 1970; 112:17551756.Google Scholar
14.Sexton, DJ, Gallis, HA, McRae, JR, et al: Possible needle associated Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (letter). N Engl J Med 1975; 292:645.Google Scholar
15.Jacobson, JT, Burke, JP, Conti, MT: Injuries of hospital employees from needles and other sharp objects. Infect Control 1983; 4(2): 100102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Neuberger, JS, Harris, JA, Kundin, WD, et al: Incidence of neediestick injuries in hospital personnel: Implications for prevention. Am J Infect Control 1984: 12:171176.Google Scholar
17.McCormick, R, Maki, DG; Epidemiology of needlestick injuries in hospital personnel. Am J Med 1981; 70:928932.Google Scholar
18.Reed, JS, Anderson, AC, Hodges, GR: Needlestick and puncture wounds; Definition of the problem. Am J Infect Control 1980; 8:101106.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Hamory, BH: Underreporting of ncedlestick injuries in a university hospital. Am J Infect Control 1983; 11(5):174177.Google Scholar
20.Hamory, BH: Error: Percent in “Underreporting of Needlestick Injuries” was “underreported”. Am J Infect Control 1984: 12(1):68.Google Scholar
21.Bock, KB, Tong, MJ, Bernstein, S: The risk accidental exposure to hepatitis B virus via blood contamination in medical students. J Infect Dis 1981; 144(6):604.Google Scholar
22.Wormser, CP, Joline, C, Duncanson, F, et al: Needlestick injuries during the care of patients with AIDS. N Engl J Med 1984; 310(22):1461.Google Scholar