Month: November 2024

Needlestick injuries—as well as any percutaneous injury that can expose a person to tainted blood or body fluids—have long been a concern to both healthcare workers and the public at large.

Many of the fears have been fueled by media reports which either overstate the risk of acquiring HIV through needlestick injuries or spotlight cases in which victims are reported to be “living in fear” after having received such exposure (including much-reported incident in 2013 where a Michigan woman sued Etihad Airways after puncturing herself on discarded hypodermic needle left in a seatback pocket).1

While the perception of risk may be high in cases of needlestick injuries, recent analyses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that the actual risk may be far lower—so low, in fact, that it can now be considered rare.

Questioning the “Three Out of a Thousand” Estimate

In a popularly referenced 1989 study, researchers suggested that the risk of acquiring HIV from a single needlestick injury involving HIV-contaminated blood was around 0.32 percent, or roughly three cases out of every 1,000 injuries.

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Improving occupational safety for healthcare providers has long been a priority in the healthcare industry, and specifically the prevention of needlestick injuries remains a key area of focus. Needlestick injuries continue to pose a serious threat to healthcare workers despite the widespread adoption of medical sharps with manually activated safety mechanisms currently available. The question of what can be done to further reduce needlestick injuries has led to the development of new innovations like passive safety needles, designed to minimize these risks through an automatic and foolproof safety mechanism.   In this article, we will explore the value of passive safety needles, focusing on how HTL-Strefa’s new Sicura passive safety needle stands out as an effective solution for healthcare providers providing injections.

 What Are Passive Safety Needles?

A passive safety needle is designed with an automatic safety mechanism that activates as soon as the needle is used. Unlike traditional needles or even some active safety needles that require healthcare workers to manually engage the safety features, passive safety needles are engineered to immediately activate post-injection without any extra steps required by the healthcare provider.

HTL-Strefa’s Sicura passive safety needle is the first passive safety needle available on the market. Once the needle has been used, its protective shield automatically covers the needle, reducing the chance of accidental needlestick injuries and helping to keep healthcare providers safe from potential bloodborne pathogens.

 The Importance of Passive Safety Needles in Healthcare

Reducing the incidence of needlestick injuries is a critical concern in healthcare environments. These injuries are not just harmful to the individuals who suffer them but also carry a high financial and emotional cost for healthcare facilities. The use of passive safety needles like the HTL-Strefa’s Sicura significantly mitigates these risks by providing a reliable, easy-to-use solution that helps ensure the safety of all involved.

By utilizing passive safety needles, healthcare workers can carry out their tasks with more confidence and fewer interruptions, as these needles streamline the injection process,  provide automatic safety after use, and better ensure safe disposal.

 The Value of HTL-Strefa Sicura Passive Safety Needles

# 1. Automatic Needle Protection

The standout feature of the Sicura passive safety needle is its automatic safety mechanism. After an injection is administered, the needle is immediately covered by a protective, transparent shield without requiring the user to manually activate any safety feature. This automatic protection greatly reduces the likelihood of needlestick injuries caused by human error or distraction, creating a safer working environment for medical staff.

# 2. Compliance with Safety Standards

Regulatory bodies such as OSHA and various health organizations worldwide have strict standards for needlestick prevention. By using a passive safety needle like Sicura, healthcare facilities can easily meet or exceed these safety standards. Implementing these passive safety needles can not only protect healthcare providers, but also downstream employees, to help maintain compliance with workplace safety regulations.

# 3. Ease of Use and Training

One of the great advantages of Sicura is that it requires minimal training. Healthcare providers can continue to use the injection technique with which they are comfortable. The passive safety mechanism makes for a consistent injection experience, regardless of the experience level of the healthcare worker, as the safety feature is automatic. The intuitive design of the needle means that the entire injection process is seamless, ensuring smooth workflow and minimal disruptions during patient care.

# 4. Cost-Effectiveness

Data supports that the potential savings from eliminating needlestick injuries are substantial. A product like Sicura can greatly reduce the risk of needlestick injuries meaning fewer incidents requiring medical follow-ups, treatments, and potential lawsuits. The automatic safety features provide not only cost savings from injury prevention but also improve overall workflow efficiency.

HTL-Strefa Sicura: A Closer Look

Sicura is the first and only passive safety needle available in North America. Here is why it stands out:

• Innovative Design

Sicura is equipped with a fully automatic, retractable shield that covers the needle as soon as it is withdrawn from the patient. This shield provides immediate protection from accidental pricks, eliminating exposure to contaminated needles.

• Single-Handed Operation

Sicura can be operated with just one hand, making it convenient for healthcare professionals who may need to steady a patient with their free hand. The single-handed operation also simplifies the injection process, allowing for a smooth workflow.

• Smooth Injection and Sharp Needle Tip

Sicura features a high-quality needle designed for smooth injection and minimal discomfort for the patient. The needle tip is finely sharpened to ensure ease of penetration, and the protective sheath engages without affecting the quality of the injection.

• Compatibility and Versatility

Sicura is compatible with standard luer slip and luer lock syringes, making it a versatile choice for various medical applications. It is available in a 25G x 1” size that is most common for subcutaneous/intramuscular injections, with multiple sizes becoming available in 2025, allowing healthcare workers to choose the appropriate gauge and length for different procedures.

• Validated Success in Large-Scale Immunization programs

Retail pharmacies that administer millions of vaccinations each year throughout North America were early adopters of Sicura for their best-in-class immunization programs. Many national and regional retail pharmacy chains made the decision to move away from the active safety products and have successfully used and benefitted from Sicura’s safety benefits in the 2024-2025 flu season.

How Passive Safety Needles Like Sicura Compare to Active Safety Needles

Active safety needles are designed to protect users by requiring them to manually engage a safety feature after use. While this is still an improvement over traditional needles, it leaves room for human error. Data shows that most needlestick injuries occur when the healthcare provider does not successfully engage the manual safety feature prior to safe disposal.

Passive safety needles like Sicura remove this concern by removing the possibility of human error, through automatic activation of the safety mechanism. There is no need to remember to retract a needle or engage a shield—the needle’s safety feature engages passively, making the process both safer and easier.

 The Benefits of Adopting Passive Safety Technology

1. Enhanced Safety for Medical Staff

Sicura and medical devices with passive safety technology are designed with healthcare worker safety as a top priority. Passive safety mechanisms eliminate the risk of accidental pricks due to improper or delayed needle handling after an injection.

2. Reduced Work-Related Injuries and Costs

Passive safety needles help reduce workplace injuries, thereby minimizing the costs associated with post-exposure treatments, tests, and potential loss of work time. These savings make passive safety needles a cost-effective choice for healthcare facilities looking to improve safety standards.

3. Improved Patient Safety and Comfort

While protecting healthcare workers is a primary goal, passive safety needles also enhance patient safety by ensuring that each injection is administered cleanly and securely, while also obscuring visibility to the needle for patients who struggle with injection anxiety.

 FAQs

What makes Sicura different from other safety needles?

Sicura is the first and only passive safety needle, meaning its safety feature activates automatically without any extra steps from the healthcare worker. This reduces the risk of needlestick injuries and makes it easy to use.

How do passive safety needles improve workplace safety?

Passive safety needles may automatically cover or secure the needle after use, preventing accidental pricks and exposure to potentially contaminated needles.

Do passive safety needles require special training?

No, one of the benefits of passive safety needles is that they are designed for easy use. HTL-Strefa’s Sicura, for example, automatically engages its safety mechanism, requiring minimal additional training for healthcare workers.

Can the HTL-Strefa Sicura be used with all types of syringes?

Yes, the HTL-Strefa Sicura is compatible with standard luer slip and luer lock syringes, making it a versatile option for various medical procedures.

Are passive safety needles available in different sizes?

Yes, passive safety needles like the HTL-Strefa Sicura will be available in various sizes and gauges beginning in 2025, suitable for different types of injections and patient needs.

HTL-Strefa’s Sicura passive safety needle represents a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare safety. By adopting passive safety needles, healthcare facilities can protect workers from needlestick injuries, reduce costs associated with workplace injuries, and improve overall patient care. These benefits make passive safety needles like Sicura an invaluable tool for any medical setting striving to provide the best safety standards. 

For a PDF file of this article click link. Dropsafe Sicura

Ron Stoker

Executive Director

ISIPS

The International Sharps Injury Prevention Society (ISIPS) proudly announces the launch of the 23rd Annual Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month, scheduled to take place throughout December 2024. This vital initiative is dedicated to raising awareness about the risks of needlestick and sharps injuries and implementing effective prevention strategies to protect healthcare workers around the globe. Sharps injuries pose a significant risk to healthcare professionals, leading to possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Despite advancements in safety technology, these injuries remain prevalent, underscoring the necessity for continued education, advocacy, and commitment to safety in healthcare settings.

“Every needle stick represents a potential health crisis for a dedicated healthcare worker,” said Ron Stoker, Executive Director of ISIPS. “Our goal for Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month is to spotlight this critical issue and empower healthcare facilities to adopt and implement best practices in sharps safety. Sharps injuries are a preventable hazard that continues to affect healthcare workers globally, Our mission is to advocate for the adoption of safety-engineered devices and best practices to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.”