Legislation to Combat the Dangers of Accidental Needlesticks

In this section you will find information on the risks and regulations surrounding accidental needlesticks — and how to cost-effectively address them.

Around the globe, healthcare workers and the public at large face the potential dangers of infections, illness, and death from accidental needlesticks. These dangers not only result in hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs, but also put the health, safety and lives of millions of people at risk.

Healthcare workers face some of the greatest risks, with 3 million workers experiencing percutaneous exposures to bloodborne pathogens — including HBV, HCV and HIV — annually, due in large part to accidental needlesticks. In fact, sharps injuries cause approximately 66,000 HBV, 16,000 HCV and up to 5,000 HIV infections among healthcare workers each year.

In response to the growing risks and concerns associated with accidental needlesticks, governments and health organizations around the world are implementing ever-more stringent regulations and mandates. Navigating, understanding and meeting these regulations can be a time-consuming, costly and complex endeavor for members of the pharmaceutical industry.

SSI is committed to helping pharmaceutical companies identify, understand and comply with the latest regulations and mandates as they are identified worldwide.

References

World Health Organization. The World Health Report. Geneva: WHO; 2002. Quantifying selected major risks to health; p. 47-98.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Surveillance of Healthcare Personnel with HIV/AIDS, as of December 2002. December 11, 2003; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/bp_hiv_hp_with.html. Accessed June 10, 2010.

Tarantola A, Abiteboul D, Rachline A. Infection risks following accidental exposure to blood or body fluids in health care workers: a review of pathogens transmitted in published cases. Am J Infect Control 2006;34:367-374.

Porta C, Handelman E, McGovern P. Needlestick injuries among health care workers: a literature review. AAOHN J 1999;47:237-244.
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