Healthcare workers and the public at large face the potential danger of infection, illness, and death from accidental needlesticks. The magnitude of the issue is illustrated by the following statistics from the November 1999 alert issued by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).

			It is estimated that there are approximately 600,000 to 800,000 needlesticks and other percutaneous injuries occuring among healthcare workers in the United States1
			One recent year's estimate showed approximately 800 healthcare workers became infected with hepatitis B1
			Between 1985 and 1999, there were 55 documented cases of occupational HIV transmissions to U.S. healthcare workers that were reported; 49 were associated with needlesticks or other percutaneous injuries1

Due to the rising concerns relating to needlestick injuries, there has been significant activity on both the Federal and State levels to mandate the use of needleless systems and needles with engineered sharps injury protection:

			Passed by Congress and signed by the President in November 2000, H.R. 5178 “Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act” is now Law. This legislation requires healthcare employers to review and evaluate new safety technologies. This law became effective April 18, 2001.
			In March 2000, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that selecting safer medical devices could prevent 62% to 88% of sharps injuries in hospital settings. The new law requires healthcare employers to select safer needle devices such as the UltraSafe® Needle Guard2, as they become available, in order to reduce the risk of occupational exposure to HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne diseases.

References:

1.		National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH], November 1999 Alert.
2.		Manufactured by Safety Syringes, Inc.

Directions for use with UltraSafe^® Needle Guard

		Step 1 Perform injection using standard technique.
		Step 2 Keep hands behind the needle, grasp the guard with free hand.
		Step 3 Slide guard forward toward the needle until it is completely covered and guard "clicks" into place. Dispose in a sharps container.