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Needleguard systems: an evaluation

MSc, CMIOSH National Blood Service, John Eccles House, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GP, United Kingdom Tel: 01865 440041 Fax: 01865 440053, Clive.Sherwood @nbs.nhs.uk

Aims: The National Blood Service is responsible for ensuring that the NHS demand for blood products is met. The use of needles forms a fundamental procedure in the collection of blood. A common engineering control used to minimize needlestick injury is a needleguard. This study investigates the effectiveness of needleguards as a risk reduction measure. Injury rates, performance and the effectiveness of training are also addressed.

Methods: The methodology adopted two techniques for collecting data, namely database analysis and questionnaire analysis. In examining the accident database, it was identified that the incidence of needlestick injuries fell when needleguards were introduced in 2001. However, a rise in injuries was observed over the 12 months of 2003.

Results: Although the questionnaire showed that staff directly involved in the collection of blood believed that needleguards act to reduce the risk of injury, they also reported difficulties in the operation of the needleguard system. An association was identified between the perceived quality of training and the reported difficulties. It was also identified that training provided by external organizations had the least effect in reducing the operational difficulties.

Conclusions: The study concludes that the use of needleguards as a successful control measure requires further investigation and that further research should be carried out to ensure the effectiveness of training in reducing injuries.

Key Words: needleguard • needlestick • injury • blood • prophylaxis

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