Preventing needle stick injuries in the field of diabetes: myths and realities
Section: Featured Articles
How to quote
Strauss K. Prevención de lesiones por agujas en el ámbito de la diabetes: mitos y realidades. Metas de Enferm dic 2011/ene 2012; 14(10): 66-68
Authors
Kenneth Strauss
Position
Endocrinólogo. Director de Seguridad en Medicina de la Asociación Médica Europea (Bruselas). Director Médico Global de Becton Dickinson (BD).
Contact address
Myriam Otaola. Lindsell Marketing. 7 Praed Street. London W2 1NJ
Contact email: myriam@lindsellmarketing.com
Abstract
Since May 2013, an EU directive will make it mandatory to use safety
devices in all public and private hospitals to avoid and prevent more than one million accidental needle sticks that occur each year throughout Europe, especially among the nursing staff, with the consequent risk of HIV or hepatitis. However, more and more health institutions have
replaced the old instruments by other instruments that incorporate safety mechanisms without waiting for the deadline, as it has been shown that these safety features represent a cost savings and unquestionable moral responsibility. In this context, what happens to patients with diabetes? There are a number of myths about the risk of needle stick injuries and infections when diabetes is treated that this article aims to clarify, demonstrating the need to use needles with safety devices in the treatment of
diabetes to protect both patients and the health personnel.
Is it true that patients with diabetes have a lower prevalence of dangerous virus than the general population? Is it true that there are no sharp
objects injuries because smaller needles do not pose a greater risk of infection and because the injection devices used in the treatment of diabetes are not contaminated? Is it true that people with diabetes always put the cap back and properly dispose of their needles, and there are no safety needles for diabetes? Clearly, the answer is no, and thus the aim of this article is to briefly explain the reasons.
devices in all public and private hospitals to avoid and prevent more than one million accidental needle sticks that occur each year throughout Europe, especially among the nursing staff, with the consequent risk of HIV or hepatitis. However, more and more health institutions have
replaced the old instruments by other instruments that incorporate safety mechanisms without waiting for the deadline, as it has been shown that these safety features represent a cost savings and unquestionable moral responsibility. In this context, what happens to patients with diabetes? There are a number of myths about the risk of needle stick injuries and infections when diabetes is treated that this article aims to clarify, demonstrating the need to use needles with safety devices in the treatment of
diabetes to protect both patients and the health personnel.
Is it true that patients with diabetes have a lower prevalence of dangerous virus than the general population? Is it true that there are no sharp
objects injuries because smaller needles do not pose a greater risk of infection and because the injection devices used in the treatment of diabetes are not contaminated? Is it true that people with diabetes always put the cap back and properly dispose of their needles, and there are no safety needles for diabetes? Clearly, the answer is no, and thus the aim of this article is to briefly explain the reasons.
Keywords:
accidental needle sticks; diabetic patients with safety needles; patient safety; safety of health personnel
Versión en Español
Título:
Prevención de lesiones por agujas en el ámbito de la diabetes: mitos y realidades
