OPERATING ROOM Sticking to sharps safety
Success points to device containment, PPE and infection control standards by Ebony Smith
W
Photo credit: rumruay |
stock.adobe.com
hen a public health emergency strikes, such as COVID-19, it illu- minates the many risks and haz- ards in healthcare devices, environments and practices. It also shines a light on the fortitude of hospital and other healthcare staff continuing to persevere in caring for communities through the many ups and downs of this pandemic.
Like no other major health crisis in his-
tory, COVID-19 revealed numerous vulner- abilities and challenges accessing necessary supplies, devices, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) for care and infection protection in hospitals and medi- cal facilities. COVID-19 also sharpened the focus on following established and adapted standards and guidelines in safety to help reduce the spread of pathogens and infec- tions and prevent injuries and other harm among staff and patients. In specific parts of the country during the pandemic, Supply Chain was unable to procure PPE for healthcare workers (HCWs),” noted Lorrie Calabrese, BSN, RN, CNOR, Clinical Specialist, Mölnlycke Health Care. “HCWs had to proceed, improvise and substitute ‘best practices’ to meet day-to-day needs. HCWs
Lorrie Calabrese
championed and embraced the resources they did have to try and keep their patients safe and attempt to protect themselves.” Sharps devices, consequently, grew as much needed supplies in COVID-19 care and vac- cine administration, points out Judy LaJoie, DNP, RN, CRNI, Chief Nurse, Direc- tor of Medical Affairs for Medication Delivery Solu- tions, BD. “Needles and syringes are ubiquitous in healthcare and, to a degree, have been
Judy LaJoie
taken for granted,” LaJoie expressed. “The COVID-19 pandemic served as a reminder on the important role high-quality, sterile manufacturing of these devices play every day. Demand for these devices has risen as a result of clinical measures taken to stabilize COVID patients in ICUs, as well as coun- tries around the world preparing for and delivering vaccination campaigns, all of which stressed supply chains,” she added. Collaboration with the U.S. and other governments months prior to vaccine approvals allowed BD to adapt manufac- turing output to support vaccine rollout while continuing to supply the commercial market for routine healthcare, flu vac- cination and childhood immunizations programs,” she noted.
Injuries versus infections How have sharps injuries affected staff, patients, procedures and treatment pre- and current COVID pandemic?
“The largest percentage of sharps injury in 2018 occurred in the operating room [44.3% EPINet, 35.1% Massachusetts Sharps Injury Surveillance System (MSISS)],” Cal- abrese explained. “Additionally, within the OR, surgeons experienced the greatest number of injuries (52.8% EPINet, 58-.05 MSISS). These statistics reveal the OR may be the area to scrutinize and provide our greatest impetus for change. Often stated, not necessarily embraced, education and action can remodel our future.” Additional challenges and risks in care have emerged during the current crisis, observes Calabrese. “Standard precautions are used for all patient care in the OR, ER or anywhere there is risk of transmission from blood and body uids, she indicated. ID- patients, sickness and deaths made the pan- demic a reality. HCWs in this generation have never experienced this trepidation and dread. Fear and reality will awaken and
14 July 2021 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
hpnonline.com
elevate safety precautions to a higher level. The impact of COVID-19 was a heightened awareness of sharps safety because a mis- take resulting in a sharp injury can change your life.”
Continuing to watch out for healthcare staff safety and infection control into the future, The International Safety Center “last year released a consensus statement, Moving the Sharps Safety in Healthcare Agenda Forward in the United States: 2020 Consensus Statement and Call to Action,”1 reported the American College of Surgeons. The college continued, “The risks of occu- pational exposure to blood, body uids, and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) are greater today than in decades past. Increased global travel can result in broad spread of emerging infectious dis- eases. The emergence of these previously unknown pathogens, such as COVID-19, highlights the critical role that the safety and health of healthcare workers play and the importance of protecting them from workplace hazards. Additionally, the increased prevalence of individuals living with co-infections such as HIV and HCV, and the growing pressure for providers to see more patients in less time, exacerbates the risk of work-related exposures to dis- ease. It is our goal to continue to focus on ways to protect healthcare personnel from harm, thus mitigating these risks.” A federal action taken on behalf of healthcare worker safety is the “Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (NSPA) signed on Nov. 2, 2000,” reports LaJoie of BD. “Following NSPA, U.S. healthcare facilities have adopted the use of safety- engineered devices to reduce the risk of accidental needlestick injuries and the transmission of bloodborne pathogens to healthcare practitioners,” she explained. “BD supported this effort prior to NSPA being signed into law and continues to advocate on behalf of healthcare practitio-
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62
