Hollow-bore Needle Safety Program
Needlestick injury (NSI) with hollow-bore devices is a frequent cause of healthcare worker occupational exposure to blood borne viruses. In 2004, CHRISP undertook a project to evaluate the effect of introducing safety devices to reduce hollow-bore NSI. The primary interventions were implementation of a retractable needle/syringe, removal where possible, of steel-winged infusion sets ('butterflies"), and implementation of a safety steel-winged infusion set where removal was not possible. The two-year trial resulted in an overall reduction of reported injuries related to disposable needle/syringes and steel-winged infusion sets by 50%, compared with the pre-trial period. Based on these results CHRISP has recommended the introduction of a range of strategies to reduce hollow-bore needlestick injuries. The six recommended practices should form part of an overall facility-specific sharps safety program.
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