U.S. Directors of Infection Control on Safety Syringe Needle Design: 2006 Study of Needlestick Injuries and Safety Devices
The 2006 Study of Needlestick Injuries and Safety Devices seeks to understand how U.S. directors of infection control and nurses feel about the safety syringe needle and needlestick injury prevention. The independent study, sponsored by Inviro Medical, reveals that the overwhelming majority of directors of infection control nationwide worry about accidental needlestick injuries and feel strongly that current safety syringe needle designs could be improved.
Tremendous concern over needlestick injuries
The overwhelming majority of U.S. directors of infection control surveyed say they worry about needlestick injury prevention among clinicians. In fact, second only to back strains (44%), the occupational hazard directors are most concerned about is needlesticks (39%).
Significant hazard
82% of directors of infection control nationwide believe accidental needlestick injuries remain a significant, serious hazard. So, what can be done to protect a healthcare worker from a needlestick injury?
Definite room for improvement
When asked if there was room for improvement in current safety syringe needle designs, directors of infection control across the board say...
Just say no to retro-fitted designs …
70% of directors of infection control in the U.S. feel that retro-fitted safety syringe needle designs are not the best way to design a safety syringe needle to protect clinicians. So, how would they improve the design of a safety syringe needle?
State of the healthcare industry
The majority of directors of infection control nationwide say the state of the healthcare industry has some shortcomings in needlestick injury prevention but is strong overall.
Infection control spending set to increase
Nearly two out of three (63%) directors of infection control in the U.S. say they planned to increase spending on infection control during 2006. Of those:
Consistent use of safety mechanism questioned
Three out of 10 U.S. directors of infection control believe clinicians do not always engage the needlestick injury prevention.
When asked why they believe nurses fail to activate safety mechanisms, they state…
Underreporting of needlestick injuries
The 63% of directors of infection control in the U.S. who say they believe needlestick injuries are underreported gave the following reasons:
About the survey
Conducted in May, the 2006 Study of Needlestick Injuries and Safety Devices is based on an online, nationwide survey of U.S. directors of infection control and nurses. Of the 147 directors of infection control participants, 35% of those surveyed have been a director of infection control less than five years; 34% for five to ten years; 11% for 11 to 15 years; and 22% for more than 15 years. 80% of those surveyed have credentials as an RN, 39% have other medical credentials and 19% have a masters degree. 95% of respondents were female, and 5% were male. The survey’s margin of error is plus or minus 5%. The research was conducted by Atlanta based Arketi Group and sponsored by Inviro Medical. Find our more information on needlestick injury prevention.