Preattached Holder Protects Phlebotomists Against Needlestick Injury

A push button blood collection set with a preattached holder is now available to protect health care workers from accidental needlestick injuries (NSIs). The ready-to-use product will also prevent reuse of the tube holder.

Needlestick and sharps injuries carry the risk of infections and are an occupational hazard for all healthcare professionals involved in clinical care. The preassembled device saves time by shortening the blood collection process; the preattached holder covers the holder end of the needle, reducing the risk of injury.

The intuitively designed apparatus consists of a large flexible wing flanking the needle, a push button safety mechanism, and tubing that does not kink or coil. This is connected to the single use holder by way of a luer adaptor. The blood collection set is manufactured by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD; Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) and is an improved version of the original Vacutainer collection sets. The new product's in-vein activation of the safety device provides split-second protection against NSIs.

Tube holders that are reused have not been disinfected or sterilized, posing unnecessary exposure to blood borne pathogens including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus. The National Phlebotomy Association (NPA; Landover, MD, USA) recently completed a study on reusable blood tube holders. The study revealed that 99% of holders sampled, were contaminated with blood. This poses an occupational exposure risk to the healthcare worker and an infection-control exposure risk to the patient.

Single-use holders that are preattached to safety-engineered blood collection needles may provide the highest level of infection prevention for the healthcare industry. One hospital reported an 88% reduction in NSIs after adopting the device, with zero NSIs in the final 21 months after implementing the product.

Dr. Ana Stankovic, M.D, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., world VP at BD diagnostics said, "this product virtually eliminates a healthcare worker's exposure to a contaminated needle and reduces the time required to collect blood for diagnostic testing."

Related Links:
Becton, Dickinson and Company
National Phlebotomy Association