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| Becton Dickinson Safety Recogition
Award |
In 2004, in Canada, Becton Dickinson developed the first ever
Becton Dickinson Safety Recognition Award. This award was
designed to reward and recognize healthcare institutions across
the country that are committed to providing a safer work environment
for their staff and patients through the use of Becton Dickinson
safety-engineered medical devices and programs. They benchmarked
all hospitals within Canada to determine the national commitment
to safety. Points were awarded to hospitals based on each
category of Becton Dickinson safety device being used as well
as any specific programs that address the issue of sharps
safety. On the merits of first year volumes, the Bronze award
comes with a plaque as well as a monetary reward to further
advance the efforts to provide a safer work environment for
healthcare workers.
With nearly 70,000 needle stick injuries reported by hospital
employees each year in Canada, TBRHSC decided to undertake
a review of its “sharps” injuries. This analysis
resulted in a decision to design a program focused on the
areas of greatest risk for staff. The initial phase began
in the fall of 2005 with the implementation of safety devices
for IV catheters.
Although safety-engineered needles are more expensive than
traditional options, TBRHSC believes that preventing the human
and economic costs associated with these injuries is critical.
The consequences and human impact of a “sharps”
injury can include possible contraction of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis
B, or hepatitis C. The Manager of Occupational Health and
Safety at TBRHSC, Linda Dier, says, "staff are terrified
when they receive a needle poke because the potential ramifications
are frightening. While TBRHSC provides treatment, counselling
and support for staff and their families, the experience is
traumatic - and also preventable”.
Studies have demonstrated that injuries can be reduced by
eighty to ninety percent with the use of safety-engineered
sharps and proper training and education. The needles adopted
by TBRHSC have safety devices so that once the procedure is
complete, the needle can be deactivated, using only one hand.
Nurses claim the safety engineered needles work well as only
a minimal change in technique is required to add the locking
step. It is fast and easy, and, most importantly, does not
interfere with the quality of care for patients.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center is setting a
higher standard by implementing safety engineered needle options
and is hopeful that this will result in significant injury
reduction. TBRHSC is committed to safety needle systems and
is currently moving on to phase two to introduce safety needles
for drug injections.
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