Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T20:16:07.111Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An Effective Educational Program to Reduce the Frequency of Needle Recapping

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Bruce S. Ribner  and
Barbara S. Ribner
Bruce S. Ribner*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, and the Medical Service, Asheville Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Asheville, North Carolina
Barbara S. Ribner
Affiliation:
Department of Patient Management Services, Park Ridge Hospital, Fletcher, North Carolina
*
Medical Service, Asheville VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC 28805
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We developed an educational program that reported the rate of needle recapping to healthcare workers, in conjunction with emphasis on appropriate disposal procedures. Over 12 months, the rate of recapping needles used for venipuncture and for percutaneous medication injections fell from 61% to 16% (p<.0001). Over the same period, the recapping of needles used primarily for intravenous (IV) administration fell from 44% to 33% (p = .03). Re-evaluation of the rate of recapping eight months later showed a continuation of these lowered rates. Needlestick injuries were too few in number during the study period to detect any change accompanying the decreased recapping rate. We conclude that programs that report back to employees their rate of recapping can significantly reduce this activity in the disposal of needles used for venipuncture and for percutaneous medication injections. While such reporting may reduce the rate of recapping of needles used for IV administration, the effect is not nearly so marked. Modifications in design remain the most promising approach to preventing needlestick injuries from recapping needles used for IV administration.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 11 , Issue 12 , December 1990 , pp. 635 - 638
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Centers for Disease Control. Guidelines for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus to healthcare and public-safety workers. MMWR. 1989;38:1–37.Google Scholar
2. Joint advisory notice: protection against occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Federal Register. October 30, 1987;52:41818–41823.Google Scholar
3. Centers for Disease Control. Protection against viral hepatitis: recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP). MMWR. 1990;39:1–26.Google Scholar
4. Centers for Disease Control. Public Health Service statement on management of occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus, including considerations regarding zidovudine postexposure use. MMWR. 1990;39:1–14.Google Scholar
5. Jagger, JR, Hunt, EH, Brand-Elnaggar, J, Pearson, RD. Rates of needle-stick injury caused by various devices in a university hospital. N Engl J Med. 1988;319:284–288.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Ribner, RS, Landry, MN, Gholson, GL, Linden, LA. Impact of a rigid, puncture-resistant container system upon needlestick injuries. Infect Control. 1987;8:63–66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7. Krasinski, K, LaCouture, R, Holzman, RS. Effect of changing needle disposal systems on needle puncture injuries. Infect Control. 1987;8:59–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. McCormick, RD, Maki, DG. Epidemiology of needle-stick injuries in hospital personnel. Am J Med. 1981;70:928–932.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. Edmond, I, Khakoo, R, McTaggert, B, Solomon, R. Effect of bedside needle disposal units on needle recapping frequency and needlestick injury. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1988;9:111–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10. Ipsen, J, Feigl, P. Bancroft's Introduction to Biostatistics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Harper and Row; 1970.Google Scholar
11. Kempen, PM. Equipment modifications to reduce needle sticks. N Engl J Med. 1988;319:308.Google ScholarPubMed
12. Seto, WH. Ching, TY. Chu, YB. Fielding, F. Reduction in the frequency of needle recapping by effective education: a need for conceptual alteration. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1990;11:194–196.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed