Louise Kerr and her daughter Tia in the lane between Americanmuir Road and Turriff Place where the 10-year-old was jabbed by an abandoned needle.DC Thomson
Experts tackling Dundee’s drug problem want more information about where needles are discarded throughout the city. The number of victims of needle injuries — often children who come to grief while playing — has sparked public outrage especially in the affected communities.
That’s why in 2010 the World Health Organization made World Hepatitis Day one of only 4 official disease-specific world health days, to be celebrated each year on the 28th July. Millions of people across the world now take part in World Hepatitis Day, to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, and to call for access to treatment, better prevention programs and governments
It is a well known fact that healthcare workers are most at risk of needle-stick injuries in the workplace. Healthcare workers do not only include clinical staff (i.e. doctors and nurses etc.), but non-clinical ancillary staff such as receptionists and ward clerks who may have social contact with patients. However, these are not the only group of workers that are vulnerable and needle-stick injuries also occur in other areas of work such as the police force and amongst youth workers, who are all constantly at risk.
A former doctor convicted of second-degree murder for infecting at least nine patients with hepatitis C was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for his role in one of the largest U.S. outbreaks of the disease tied to a physician.
Lancing is necessary for blood glucose testing. It is important that lancing can not only be safe but comfortable. Read some stories from individuals that have used lancets that have made a difference in their lives!
The latest information on needlestick injuries, HIV, hepatitis and all things infection control can be found daily on the Needlestick Scoop.it. Just click the link or go to http://www.scoop.it/t/needlestick to see the latest needlestick information.
A hospital technician who allegedly triggered a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis C plans to plead guilty in exchange for a prison term of 30 to 40 years, according to a plea agreement filed Monday in New Hampshire federal court. David Kwiatkowsk is accused of stealing drugs and infecting patients with hepatitis C through contaminated syringes.
The plea agreement says David Kwiatkowski can sidestep criminal charges in Kansas, Georgia and Maryland — states where authorities allege the traveling cardiac technologist injected himself with stolen syringes, which were later used on unsuspecting patients, according to The Associated Press.
The Tri-County Spinal Care Center located at 8626 Dorchester Road in Charleston was suprised to find out that 3 of its patients contracted hepatitis B after getting injections there.
The Tri-County Spinal Care Center was notified on Friday, May 17 that they were under investigation by DHEC. Apparently, three patients were infected after receiving spinal injections on the same day in February.
The Spinal Care Center is cooperating with DHEC’s investigation and 18 patients who may be at risk have been notified.
DHEC ordered the North Charleston clinic to cease and desist all invasive procedures after the three patients were recently diagnosed with the disease. Tri-County Spinal Care Center will be required to provide DHEC with: access to the building, clinic records and employees, and patient information as requested.
Concerned patients can call the clinic at 843-225-7746 to speak with a doctor.
The EU Sharps Directive sets forth a framework for implementing a European-level initiative for adopting best practices to ensure the safest possible working environment for healthcare workers.
On 10 May 2010, the directive was introduced as a way to prevent injuries and blood-borne infections to healthcare workers from sharp instruments. European Union member states must implement directive provisions within their national legislation by 11 May 2013.
The EU Sharps Directive came about in response to the fact that needlestick injuries are one of the most serious health and safety threats for healthcare workers. In fact, an estimated one million needlestick injuries occur in Europe each year1, not taking into account the number of unreported events. These injuries are of concern as they bear the danger of infections by blood-borne pathogens including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. It probably goes without saying that needlestick injuries, in addition to being expensive, cause severe distress for affected healthcare workers and their families2. In the UK it is estimated that needlestick injuries cause costs of approximately 500,000 GBP per year for each NHS Trust.3
The EU Sharps Directive sets a framework in place that includes measures for how to address risk assessment, risk prevention, training and information, awareness raising and monitoring and response and follow-up procedures in relation to sharps injuries.
To read more information about the directive, please consult the additional information below:
In light of the EU Sharps Directive, Mölnlycke Health Care is able to offer a selection of safety devices that have engineered features built into the product design to assist in preventing needlestick injuries. These components can be incorporated into current ProcedurePak® tray specification(s) and into any new tray configurations.
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) announces that its new Recommended Practices for Sharps Safety are now up for public comment. These recommended practices assist perioperative registered…