How Needletape Can Improve Needlestick Prevention and Minimize Accidental Injuries
Some medical professionals may argue that nothing is more important than patient safety. Accidental needlestick happens during hospital procedures, surgical procedures, and during the manufacturing process of medical products. The article discusses the importance of taking safety precautions when handling needles, suggesting a new product called "needletape." This product is designed to reduce the chance for needle sticks by providing an easier-to-handle barrier that can be applied before use to minimize accidental injuries. Proponents of needletape have argued that it will reduce the number of accidental needle sticks and provide a sense of security to patients.
Needlestick injuries are one of the most common hazards for health care workers. In fact, nurses experience an average incidence rate of 6.4 per 100 person-years, which is much higher than the average for healthcare providers in general (1.7). Although OSHA has imposed regulations that work toward minimising the transmission of potentially infectious diseases from needlestick injuries, studies show that compliance with these regulations is still low.
A study by Farrar and colleagues (2007) suggests that compliance is about 46%. This poor rate of compliance can be attributed to several factors. One factor comes from how difficult it is for workers to consistently observe the complex procedures specified in the regulations. For example, there are 10 specific steps recommended for disinfecting needles prior to disposal, which can be frustrating to follow properly. Furthermore, the time required to complete the steps is significant; Farrar and colleagues (2007) state that it takes about 20 minutes for employees to properly disinfect a single 300 needle set.
Addressing the risks of potential Needlestick Injuries
The NeedleStick Injury is a serious risk for medical professionals and patients, not only because the procedure is painful and stressful, but because it can lead to fatal consequences. In addition to being able to cause infection, the skin directly in contact with the needle may be damaged. This may lead to permanent scarring or even permanent damage in some cases. The risk of a needle stick can be reduced through the use of a barrier, such as needletape.
Though the infection associated with a needlestick is generally mild, there are some ways towards needlestick prevention that could minimise the chances of the risk that an accident will lead to infection. After seeking medical attention for a needle stick, it is advised that patients seek treatment at the lowest level possible. This means that hospitals should strive to provide treatment in an area with minimal equipment and limited personnel to reduce the risk of nurse error.
What is a Needletape- An Overview
Needletape is a product that comprises an adhesive strip for needlestick prevention that can be attached to any long-bladed tool. Many medical professionals are turning towards this solution because it is safer to use than traditional practices such as gloves and masks, as well as being less expensive than other options. Some of the main advantages of using it include not having to wear a mask or change gloves every time you take on your next task and having a better chance at minimizing accidental injuries while still maintaining safety. It is also considered to be more effective than other safety practices that are in use like masks, gloves and blood-borne pathogen isolation.
To improve needlestick prevention and minimize the risk of accidental injuries, professionals in the healthcare field have been turning towards this new adhesive strip. It is estimated that almost 30% of all health care workers will experience a needlestick at some point in their career. This can be quite dangerous because these infected needles often cause infections that no one had ever seen before. This is why, among other things, the needlestick injury rate has been on a steady rise.
As mentioned before, NeedleTape is a new adhesive strip that is designed to cover the entire needle and syringe. When the practitioner withdraws from the patient's skin, most of the time only part of the needle will have been exposed. However, for tasks such as drawing blood this product is superior to other options in that it completely covers any exposed portion of the device, thereby minimizing accidental needlestick injuries even more.
One of the many reasons to opt for a Marea Enterprises Needletape is that apparently, it is a cheaper and safer alternative to wearing safety masks, gloves and eye protection and can be attached directly to any long-bladed tool. It's also less expensive than other alternatives available on the market. Unlike safety gloves, it can be removed quickly when you need to do so for a quick task such as taking blood pressure. If a needlestick occurs, the tape can be cleaned, and unlike safety masks and goggles, can be used again and again so that the chances of getting needlestick injuries are minimised.
