Needlestick InjuriesNational & EU Developments

ANNETTE KENNEDYPresident

European Federation of Nurses Associations&

Director of Professional DevelopmentIrish Nurses Organisation

22nd April 2006

National Needlestick Conference 2006

Why we need EU Action?

1 million needlestick injuries are suffered by healthcare workers

each year (est.)

12 – 30% of incidents per 100 beds per year

60 – 80% of incidents unreported

> 60% could be avoided

Germany

1 out of 15 incidents involves Hepatitis C positive patients

500,000 needlestick injuries per annum

= 32,000 healthcare workers exposed to Hepatitis C

RCN (2000)

9 out of 10 (90%) nurses use needles or sharps in work

1 out of 3 (35%) exposed to sharps injury

Safety and Health of Workers:

EU Directive 89/391

Work Equipment:

EU Directive 89/655

Biological Agents:

EU Directive 2000/54

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

FACTS 29 ISSN 1681-2123

Eliminate use of needles (where possible)

Use devices with safety featuresImprove work practiceTraining & Education

Legal requirements versus

Non legal requirements

Examples: US, Spain, BrusselsVs

Germany, UK, France

EU Campaign for Legislation

Solutions

• National Interpretation & Implementation of Current Legislation& Guidelines

• Medical Devices with shielding

Cost of Prevention

Vs

Cost of Treatment

Key Messages

National – Action

EU - Action

Cost is not an excuse for employers to avoid implementing measures to protect healthcare workers from

avoidable occupational injury