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January 2008, Volume 4, Issue 1 - Single Use of Injection Devices
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Dear Colleagues,
We wish you and those who rely on your care a safe and happy 2008.
With the advent of a new calendar year, we also invite you to participate in the field review of the Centre’s newest Patient Safety Solutions, which you begin by clicking
here
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Prevention of patient falls;
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Prevention of pressure ulcers;
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Response to the deteriorating patient;
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Communication of critical test results; and
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Prevention of bloodstream infections associated with central lines.
Your feedback, as always, is welcome and appreciated, as we try to provide more and better patient safety solutions for global health care.
Our first Patient Safety Link of 2008 concentrates on World Health Organizations (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Patient Safety Solution Eight, “Single Use of Injection Devices” (read the entire Solution here; for more information on the WHO Collaborating Centre and the Solutions in general, click here). Multiple uses of injection devices may seem like a fiscal necessity in some situations, but the practice of re-using syringes and needles has led to the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the hepatitis C virus (HCV). As stated in this Solution, “This problem is worldwide, affecting developed countries as well as developing countries, and many studies have demonstrated the extent and the severity of the problem.”
“Reducing Sharps Injuries Among Health Care Workers: A Sharps Containers Quality Improvement Project?”
gives organizations strategies for improving sharps-disposal management. In “Safe Syringes for Injection Safety,” WHO supplies a cost-benefit analysis of four types of syringes currently used around the world. WHO’s general Web resources on injection safety and other related topics are available at http://www.who.int/injection_safety/en/index.html.
Do you or your organization have a positive experience to relate on Single Use of Injection Devices? Let us know about your success! Send an email by selecting this link:
http://www.jcipatientsafety.org/24725/
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Peter B. Angood, M.D., FRCS(C), FACS, FCCM
Vice President & Chief Patient Safety Officer, The Joint Commission
Co-Director, Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety |
Laura Botwinick
Vice President, Joint Commission Resources
Co-Director, Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety |
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