Needlestick Prevention: An Ongoing Journey
Proactive adoption of VanishPoint syringes demonstrated safety, regulatory compliance, strong staff preference, and practical success in high-volume clinical use.
Key Findings
Legislative driver: The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000 mandated hospitals update exposure control plans, adopt safer sharps devices, and maintain injury logs.
Institutional response: A 566-bed community and regional referral hospital formed a SafetyNet Committee to review devices, update sharps containers, implement EPINet™ software for tracking, and involve front-line users in device selection.
Device trial: Three types of safety syringes were tested in psychiatric and cardiac med/surg units. Two of the products had manually activated safety mechanisms (BD SafetyGilde™ and Kendall Monoject®) and one had an automated retraction mechanism (VanishPoint). Staff evaluation forms were used to guide the selection.
Nurse preference: VanishPoint syringes were rated highest for safety, ease of use, and level of protection, leading to system-wide adoption.
Clinical usage: In the first year post-implementation (Oct 2001–Sept 2002), 172,980 injections were delivered:
Intramuscular: 47,892
Subcutaneous: 101,592
Intradermal: 23,496
Safety outcome: Zero needlestick injuries were reported during the evaluation and first year of VanishPoint use.
Compliance achieved: Implementation aligned the hospital with OSHA’s revised Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and reduced risk of occupational exposures.
Conclusion: Proactive adoption of VanishPoint syringes demonstrated safety, regulatory compliance, strong staff preference, and practical success in high-volume clinical use.
Abstract/Summary
This case report details Memorial Medical Center’s systematic approach to complying with the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000. The institution formed a multi-disciplinary SafetyNet Committee to review engineering controls, reduce sharps injuries, and implement OSHA’s revised Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. Evaluations were conducted of three safety syringes—BD SafetyGlide™, Kendall Monoject®, and VanishPoint. Using front-line staff input and standardized evaluation forms, the VanishPoint syringe was selected for conversion due to its higher safety ratings and user preference. Over the one-year period following adoption (October 1, 2001–September 30, 2002), 172,980 injections were delivered using VanishPoint syringes (47,892 IM, 101,592 SubQ, 23,496 intradermal). The report emphasizes the importance of staff involvement in product selection, cost analysis, and compliance with federal safety standards to reduce needlestick injuries.
Publication/Source
Lisa Hoegg, BSN, CIC (2002). Needlestick Prevention: An Ongoing Journey [White paper]. Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
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