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 Welcome to the ISIPS Newsletter
April 16, 2010 
USA News

USA Health News

Groups Protest Segregation of Inmates With HIV
In Alabama, prisoners infected with HIV must wear white armbands and live in special units. In South Carolina, infected men have blue dots...

Survey shows HIV infection is on the rise in WI
There has been a recent rise in HIV infections in the Fox Valley area, according to a study conducted by the Wisconsin Department of...

Cuomo Tries To Stop Release Of Man Who Knowingly Spread HIV
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office is attempting to block the release of a Brooklyn man who knowingly infected over a dozen females with HIV.

Report says HIV inmate segregation in two US states
Alabama and South Carolina are subjecting HIV-positive prisoners to "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" by segregating them in...

Few active teens in US get HIV test: CDC
Nearly half the HIV-positive US adolescents and young adults are unaware of their infection, and less than a quarter of active high school students...

Global News

Hepatitis C Cases Elevate the Fear of HIV Infection Upsurge
This indication of the approaching increase in HIV infected people was highlighted by Dr. Lorna Medd, who is a Medical Health officer with the Vancouver...

HIV, Maternal Mortality Link Demands Re-vamped US Policy
While the overall the global maternal mortality ratio has decreased according to a new study released yesterday in the Lancet, HIV is responsible for more...

Central Vancouver Island could face HIV spike
A relatively high number of people suffering with hepatitis C in the region could be a sign that a surge in HIV is on its way, said Dr. Lorna Medd,...

Avian Flu

China Makes Progress in Thwarting Avian Flu
A senior United Nations official said on Wednesday that China is making "real progress" in tackling the deadly H5N1, commonly known as avian influenza.

Study shows wild birds could spread avian flu
Wild ducks that are immune to the effects of H5N1 avian influenza could be spreading the virus far and wide, US government researchers said on...

Two sick with bird flu in Vietnam, 11 undergo tests
Two people in northern Vietnam have been infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus and health authorities are carrying out tests to see if 11...

Swine Flu

Swine flu can damage kidneys, doctors find
Patients who became severely ill with H1N1 swine flu last year often developed kidney failure, which worsened their illness and...

Most Adults in Singapore Still Susceptible to H1N1 Swine Flu
... Leo Yee Sin disclosed that only 6% of admitted patients at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) accounted having been immunized against the flu.

Despite Spring Weather, Four New H1N1 Cases Reveal Threat Not Over in Montana
Now that spring is here and warm weather is in the forecast, you might think the threat for H1N1, commonly known as Swine Flu, is over.

WHO Faces Questions Over Response to Swine Flu
He added that bird flu—which killed half of those infected—set the "emotional tone" for the response to the swine flu virus once it began to spread.

Swine Flu's Toll on Military, Young
Military personnel and young people had higher swine flu infection rates when the disease swept Singapore in 2009,...

H1N1 swine flu still around, CDC says
H1N1 swine flu continues to cause epidemics, especially in the southeast of the United States, US federal researchers reported on...

Medical News

Hepatitis C Tied to Higher Kidney Cancer Risk
People infected with the hepatitis C virus are at much higher risk of developing kidney cancer, new research suggests.

New Approach to HIV Cure
Canadian researchers may have recently discovered an important link between the spread of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in women and its possible cure.

West Nile

Tough winter increases risks of West Nile in York County
Damage from heavy winter snowfall could increase the threat of West Nile Virus this year. The risk comes as the county's West Nile Virus program works with...

Milder winter should increase mosquito populations and increase chances of
Luckily for us in the Northwest we do not need to worry too much about malaria or Yellow Fever, but the West Nile virus is becoming more of a concern.

Avoiding the West Nile Virus
Cary Cook shares the concerns many people have about mosquitos infected with the West Nile Virus. Good information can waylay many fears, and this article...

Conditions Could Mean Bad Year For Mosquitoes
Experts said any mosquitoes biting this time of year typically don't carry West Nile virus or Eastern equine encephalitis. Those usually make an appearance...

The Safety SubCulture Unit (SCU) is a sharps safety device used to obtain samples from positive blood culture bottles.  Needleless sampling reduces risk of needlestick injury.

The plastic tip safely pierces the bottle septum and makes it easy to insert and remove from the culture bottle. The integrated filter cap controls gas or culture discharge for an added level of safety.

Sampling Options
Safety SubCulture Unit offers unique dispensing options for controlled sampling. The SCU sampling channel has been designed to dispense drops directly from a tilted culture bottle.

The female luer connection allows for needleless syringe draw and dispensing technique.

The Safety SubCulture Unit (SCU) has integrated safety for subculture procedures which:

  • reduces the risk of injury because it is needleless

  • reduces the risk of exposure from gaseous discharge

The SCU is compatible with a variety of culture bottles.

 

For more information on the Safety SubCulture Unit or to request product samples, please visit the ITL website at www.itlcorporation.com, or contact ITL via phone at 888-411-2851 or via email at  sales@itlus.com.

In This Issue

Take precautions, prevent needlestick injury
Injuries and cuts caused by sharp medical instruments among healthcare personnel in the clinical environment warrant serious attention due to...

HIV invades through leaky cells: study
Signals sent by the attachment of HIV particles (shown as circles with spikes) result in barrier cells (the rectangles) manufacturing inflammatory proteins...

Patient fears she is among clinic's hepatitis infections
Sandra Sunkel-Lozell had an IUD fitted at the Croydon clinic where several people have contracted hepatitis C from an infected doctor.

New hope for Hepatitis C patients
Researchers have made some encouraging headway when it comes to the treatment of Hepatitis C. The current treatment for Hepatitis C...

Hepatitis C Spread Threatens The Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria
Numerous women are running the risk of contracting hepatitis C after it was found that they were injected with the virus at a privately run abortion clinic...

Anaesthetist being investigated over Hep C cluster
... and don't do what are known as "exposure prone surgical procedures" like those in internal cavities or those with a higher risk of needle stick injury.

Doctor infects 12 Vic women with Hep C
Guidelines stipulate they cannot be involved in surgery performed in internal cavities of the body or procedures that might increase the risk of needlestick...

OSHA Violations
...citations issued
Sedona Med Spa

Alpharetta, GA

$3,675
 

 Failure to have an exposure control plan

Failure to make Hepatitis B vaccination available after the employee has received  training and within 10 working days.

Immediately or as soon as possible after use, contaminated reusable sharps shall be placed in appropriate containers until properly reprocessed

Employers shall ensure that the worksite is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

The employer shall assure that employees who decline to accept hepatitis B vaccination offered by the employer sign the statement in Appendix A.
Butler Memorial Hospital

Butler, PA

$1,300

 Failure to use engineering and work practice controls to eliminate or minimize employee exposure. Failure to use personal protective equipment

Following an exposure the employer shall document the route(s) of exposure, and the circumstances under which the exposure incident occurred.
Following a report of an exposure incident, the employer shall make immediately available to the exposed employee a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up.
ISIPS Corporate Members

Please click on any ISIPS member below to view their sharps safety products!

Amgen

Covidien

B. Braun Medical, Inc.

Becton Dickinson

Inviro Medical Devices, Inc.

Greiner Bio-One GmbH

Immunization Branch-California Dept. of Health Services

Smiths Medical

Retractable Technologies Inc.

Terumo Medical Corporation

ANFIM - Association of Needle-free Injection Mfrs

Angiodynamics

Medi-Dose, Inc. - EPS, Inc.

International Association of EMTs and Paramedics

ITL Corporation

Bemis Manufacturing Company

Maximus Medical

Qlicksmart Pty Ltd

Milestone Scientific

Baxa Corporation

LifeChoice Donor Services

3M

Canadian Intravenous Nurses Association (CINA)

Sarstedt

Myco Medical

Health Care Logistics, Inc.

Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc.

Managing Infection Control Magazine

The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals

Kawasumi Laboratories America

Starr Systems, LLC

Owen Mumford

West Pharmaceutical Services

Luminetx Corporation

Sandel Medical Industries

Infusive Technologies, LLC

Jai Surgicals Ltd.

Onyx Medical

Allen Medical Systems

AngioTech

DC Surgical Solutions

Bard Access Systems

Access Scientific

Sanofi-AVentis

Navilyst

Purple Surgical International, Ltd.

Cory Bros Ltd.

Advanced Medical Innovations

Kinamed

Unilife

Sharpsfree

Peak Surgical

ICU Medical

Safety Lady LLC

Sharps Compliance, Inc.

Ethicon, Inc.

tip-top

Global Medi Products

Real Needlestick and
Blood Exposure Stories

We had one person who got stuck because a nurse left a shaving razor blade in the patient room without discarding it and the housekeeper stuck it back in our nurse server, the aide reached it not thinking that anything like that would be in there and got stuck. Because she was stuck we knew that this was a problem and were more cautious about sticking our hands somewhere. Another nurse got stuck by trying to open Lipid bottle with a pair of used dressing scissors and got stuck. If she hadn't reported it, we may not have known the patient was Hep C positive. Bad for the patient and the nurse who should have known better. Report, Report, Report. It is a pain in the butt, but you can save yourself heartache later.

Featured Safety Product

LifeGuard™ Safety Needle 

LifeGuard's needle trap fully encapsulates the needle upon de-access.  Compared to traditional needles and sharps, Lifeguard is designed for maximum control and safety with minor changes to technique.

  • Safeguard against Needlestick injuries

  • Enhanced for Patient Comfort

  • Designed for Maximum Control

  • Easy to Use

  • Minimum change to technique

  • Large Grip Handle for Secure control

LifeGuard features:

  • Visual and audible confirmation of safety

  • Colored safety handle for needle gauge confirmation 

  • Low profile design

  • Height adjustable wings

  • Needleless compatibility

  • Easy to secure

LifeGuard™ Safety Needle will easily insert into all implanted ports and when de-accessing from the port it  encapsulates the sharp point fully, preventing unnecessary needlesticks to clinicians and custodial staff.

For more information click here.

WIN A FREE IPOD NANO

Would you like a free ipod nano?   Then help us with a survey on broken glass and broken glass injuries!

If you will answer all questions in a brief survey, your name will be thrown into a hat.  At the end of the survey, we will draw out 5 lucky participants that will get an ipod nano!   The information provided in the survey will help provide data for an article on glass injuries.

Would you like to participate in the study?  Go here to participate in the study!  But Hurry - we will not have the survey up for very long!
ISIPS Articles

Managing Infection Control articles written by Ron Stoker

2009

December 2009- Advances in Insulin Syringes  - New Passive Insulin Syringe protects from Needlestick Injury

December 2009- Making a Difference in Sharps Safety - 2009 International Sharps Injury Prevention Awards

November 2009- Facing the Challenges of  CR-BSI's - Evaluate, Plan  an Implement Decisions to reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

October 2009- Preventing Injuries from Glass Ampoule Shards-Advances in glass ampoule breakers

August 2009-What's New in Clinical Safety Education-New computer-based training can energize and captivate your staff

August 2009- Advances in Electrosurgery-Safety and economic benefits for patients, surgeons and hospitals

May 2009 - Advances in Needleless Connectors-Technologies assist in Prevention of Bloodstream Infections

April 2009 - Safety Enhancements for Blood Culture Processing-Protecting Staff From Harm

April 2009 - Neuropathy Testing - One of the Challenges of Diabetes

April 2009 - Where to Find Safety Products - Part Four

March 2009 - Accelerated Seldinger Technique - A faster, safer method for diagnostic and interventional procedures

March 2009 - Sharps Safety Matters - Where to find Safety Products - Part Three

February 2009 - Advances in Internal Bone Fixation - Sharps Safety for Orthopedic Surgeons

February 2009 - Sharps Safety Matters! - Where to find Safety Products Part 2

January 2009-  Advances in Blood Drawing Using Evacuated Tubes - Improving Patient and Clinician Safety

January 2009 - Sharps Safety Matters! - Where to find Safety Products Part I

2008

December 2008 - 2008 International Sharps Injury Prevention Awards

December 2008 - Zero Sharps Injuries - A Goal we can live with! Reducing Exposures in the Operating Room

November 2008 - Sharps Injuries - just part of the job, right?

October 2008 - Turning Point - New Safety Scalpel Handle System provides safety features and familiar feel

October 2008 - Eye Can See Clearly Now - the Positive use of face shields as PPE

September 2008 - Safety Scalpels - State of the Market Report

August 2008 Revolutionary Designs - New passive, self-sheathing safety syringe

August, 2008 - New Technology Replaces Multiple Syringes-Prevent contamination of IV lines and associated infections.

June 2008 - One Less Problem - Safe Practices When Administering IV Therapy

May 2008 - Scalpel Safety - Protecting patients and clinicians

May 2008 - Innovation in Vascular Access - Accidental needlestick injuries decreased via the utilization of the VeinViewer

April 2008 - Working in Harms Way - Understanding Sharps Safety Compliance

April 2008 - PPE Practices - Use of Personal Protective Equipment in Satellite Locations

March 2008  - Sharps Safety Matters - Where to find safety products? Part 2 of our annual sharps safety product review.

March 2008 - Simply Safe- Providing safety for the needle that saves lives

February 2008 - Sharps Safety Matters - Where to find safety products? Part 1 of our annual sharps safety product review.

2007

December 2007 - Spreading the Word for Safer Sharps- 2007 International Sharps Injury Prevention Awards

November 2007 GET THE POINT? Laparoscopic surgery-protecting healthcare workers from sharps injuries due to trocars

November 2007 - A Fortune to Share -Changing attitudes toward sharps safety.

October 2007-New sheriff in town-common and costly doctors' office blood-borne pathogen standard violations.

September 2007 Advances in Safety in Cardiology
Reducing the potential of bloodborne pathogen exposure for healthcare workers.

September 2007 Safety Doesn’t Just Happen
Staff safety—is there a culture of safety at your facility?

August 2007 - Innovative Syringe Management System -For home users—and some healthcare workers— there’s an exciting development in sharps safety

June 2007 - OSHA’s Most Cited Hospital Violations - Strategies for Creating a Safe Workplace

June 2007 - Safety in the Hospital Pharmacy-Prevent Staff Injury and Exposure to Toxic Materials with Safety Devices

May 2007 - OR Safety - Improvements in Sharps Safety in the Operating Room

May 2007- Safety Product Review - Use Safety Products to Improve Staff and Patient Safety.

April 2007- Needlestick Safety-Not just a U.S. problem.

Feb 2007 A Change Of Heart - Set Goals To Improve Your Teams Safety

Jan 2007 Stuck at Work - Use Safety Blood Draw Products To Avoid Needlestick Injuries

2006

December 2006 - Cutting the Cord  -  cutting, clamping, and obtaining blood samples from the umbilical cord

November 2006  - Don’t You Have Enough to Worry About Already? Single-Use vs. Reusable Sharps Disposal Containers

September 2006 -Evaluating Safety Products - Decision Making in the Selection of Safety Products

August 2006 -Safety Peripheral IV Catheters - State of the market report

June 2006 BESIDE THE POINT: Safety Huber Needles 2006 - State of the Market Report

May 2006 - Zero Needlesticks— A Goal We Can Live With! Current OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Citations

April 2006 - A Change of Heart - Set Goals to Change Your Team's Sharps Safety

February 2006 - How Can You Tell If Your OSHA inspection is going poorly?  Part II

January 2006 - How You Can Tell If Your OSHA Inspection Is Going Poorly? Preparing for an OSHA Inspection - Part I

January 2006 Sharps Injury Prevention Resource Guide 

Additional Articles

Anatomy of Needlestick Injury; Ron Stoker, Business Briefing: Global Healthcare- Advanced Medical Technologies 2004- Infection Control and Epidemiology

Needlestick Injury Prevention, Ron Stoker, Business Briefing: Global Healthcare 2003

Specially designed syringes maximize flue vaccine supply - Syringes reduce costs and and increase healthcare worker safety and patient comfort

Evaluation of The BD IntegraTM 3ml Syringe with Retracting BD PrecisionGlide™ Needle at Texas Children’s Hospital and Test-Med

Safety Wound Closure Presentation
Sharps Safety - Gaps and successes of safety device market conversion  By Amber Hogan
Technology and the engineering of safety devices has increased since the promulgation of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (BPS) (29 CFR 1910.1030) in 1991. As a result, OSHA revised its enforcement procedures in 1999 (CPL 02-02-069) to include guidance for its compliance safety and health officers to begin citing health care employers for failure to use safety devices where their use is feasible and effective.

Not Just painful, Deadly! Patients aren't the only ones scared of Needles  
Future Healthcare, Summer 2006 p 121-3

Links
Compendium of Infection Control Technologies

Digital Edition

The Compendium of Infection Control Technologies - Digital Edition is now available.
The digital edition comes on a CD that is readable from any computer and contains a PDF version of the Compendium with over 200 devices highlighted with a Device Evaluation Form designed for each.

 It also includes:

  • Over 50 articles written on sharps safety products that have been published in Managing Infection Control magazine.

  • All significant OSHA Interpretation Letters since the passage of the revised OSHA

  • Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

  • OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

  • Enforcement Procedures for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

  • Most frequently asked questions about the Standard

  • NIOSH Needlestick Alert

  • CDC Workbook on Designing a Sharps Injury Prevention Program

  • Model Exposure Control Plan

  • Hepatitis Vaccination Declination Form

  • Most Comprehensive List of Safety Products

  • And More...

The Compendium of Infection Control Technologies is only $89.95.  It will save you literally hundreds of hours in searching for safety products.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE COMPENDIUM!
 

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