ISIPS Newsletter September 4, 2009

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Welcome to the ISIPS Newsletter

September 4, 2009

USA Health News

Florida Report Looks At HIV/AIDS Cases, Death Rates Among Men
The study, called "Man Up: The Crisis of HIV/AIDS Among Florida's Men," includes a breakdown of data by race and county (Winchester, Cape Coral Daily Breeze...

New approach to the flu
The avian flu did not transfer easily between people, and only 262 deaths have been attributed to it. Careful not to repeat April's overblown alarm about...

Swine Flu

Swine flu's re-emergence: Questions and answers
Swine flu is expected to re-emerge potent and pervasive this fall, infecting as much as half the US population, hospitalizing 2 million people and killing...

Mexico May Top 1 Million Swine-Flu Cases, Cordova Tells Reforma
Mexico's swine-flu infections could surpass 1 million during the country's winter season, Reforma newspaper reported, citing Health...

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Jumps to Turkeys
... turkeys raises two concerns: 1) other poultry and birds may be at risk for this disease and 2) this virus could combine with the H5N1 (Avian) Flu virus.

10 Percent Of NYC Infected With Swine Flu
It is now estimated that more than 1 million people in the US have been infected with the swine flu. The World Health Organization estimates that one third...

Preparing for the Swine Flu
The Bush administration and Congress invested heavily in planning and in stockpiling medicines and medical supplies to fight a feared avian flu pandemic...

Washington, DC, HIV Health Care Providers Prepare For Expected ...
The clinic had one HIV-positive client die from the H1N1 virus this summer, according to Raymond Martins, chief medical officer at the clinic.

2 more swine flu-related deaths reported in Nevada
The latest cases appear to bring the total number of swine flu-related deaths in the state to 11. All were in southern Nevada, including a 70-year-old New...

A/H1N1 Flu Outbreak
Experts: Green light for 2nd flu vaccine

H1N1 vaccine research conducted locally
She said it then transferred to pigs, which have receptors for both human and avian flu strains. At some point, researchers believe the strain then...

Swine Flu: New Jersey
Influenza Pandemic Preparedness - Here you will find links to documents from the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services on Avian flu, regular flu and...

Swine Flu hits WFU
Wake Forest has had a plan in place for addressing a potential influenza pandemic since 2006 when there was international concern about a possible avian flu...

Medical News

Circumcision May Reduce HIV Risk for Some Men
The news comes after a study in Africa showed that circumcised men are less likely to contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The CDC may also recommend...

Researchers induce HIV-neutralizing antibodies that recognize HIV...
For the first time, researchers have experimentally induced antibodies that neutralize HIV-1 and simultaneously recognize both HIV-1 envelope protein and...

Study: HIV subtype causes dementia risk
Johns Hopkins University researchers said they determined HIV Subtype D might be more likely to cause dementia than other subtypes.

West Nile

6 More Cases Of West Nile Reported In Mississippi
The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting six more human cases of West Nile virus, bringing the state's total this year to 26 with two deaths.

Ohio Records First Human Case Of West Nile Virus
Ohio's first probable human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2009 was recorded today by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), which also reported a sharp...

Taxpayer Watch : Pantano Wash pool fuels concerns over mosquitoes...
The city of Tucson, just like other governments in Pima County, has an active program to fight against mosquitoes and West Nile virus and...

Mosquito-Borne Virus Kills NC Child
"Not only can mosquitoes here transmit La Crosse virus, but they can also be carriers of West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, which can also...

Mag-Mat™

A re-useable magnetic mat that provides a secure 'hands free' transfer zone for metallic instruments, thus reducing the risk of third party inflicted sharps injuries.

Strong ceramic magnetic surface ensures secure retention of metallic instruments
High quality, reinforced mesh design ensures a highly cost effective, long-lasting device
Autoclavable
Large (40cm x 30cm) surface allows transfer of multiple instruments
Waterproof construction minimises the risk of any pathogen cross infection

For more information in the United States:

AMI

Outside the United States:

Purple Surgical and

Cory Bros.

A new product can eliminate "wire stick" injuries to clinicians. The SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage, is manufactured by Kinamed Inc. (Camarillo, CA, USA) and has been used in several thousand procedures worldwide since being introduced in 2003. This elastomeric polymer cable consists of a nylon core encased in a jacket of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) braided fibers.

This combination of materials results in a flexible, soft cable that exhibits extremely high fatigue strength. Fatigue failure is primary mode of failure of metallic cerclage wires and cables.

The SuperCable system cables can be re-tensioned effectively when multiple cables are applied. This reduces the need to cut off and discard metal cables that have become loose after additional cables have been applied and tensioned. Over time, this feature will reduce the total number of cables required for a given procedure.

Post operative x-ray of four SuperCables wrapped around an allograft strut and hip prosthesis in revision hip replacement surgery. Note the SuperCables are radiolucent except for their locking clasp.

The SuperCable has fatigue strength superior to both metal wire and cables thereby reducing complications due to breakage. It also eliminates cable-generated metal particle debris that has been shown to greatly increase wear in adjacent total joints.

The cables are easy and quick to manipulate within the wound. Since the product is made of a polymer it contains no metal cable that can contact metallic implants and has no sharp ends to irritate patient tissue or cut surgeon's gloves.

For more information on this safety product click here.

2009 Sharps Injury Prevention Awards

The 2009 Sharps Injury Prevention Award contest, part of the International Sharps Injury Awareness Month, held in December 2009, will wrap up its nominations on September 30, 2009.

LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE! ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT. NOMINATE NOW!

Blood racket: Contaminated blood could have caused Hepatitis
The Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), in another report to the government Friday, said the Hepatitis virus strains were...

Boy, 5 stabbed by park syringe
David Hargate, Sheffield Council's parks and countryside manager, said: "I was very sorry to hear a young child has suffered a needle stick injury due to a...

£23m NHS compo bill
Several boards declined to reveal what claims were for - but NHS LOTHIAN explained how they received 11 claims for needlestick injuries and 10 claims for...

Blood racket: Samples found to be contaminated
Contaminated and sub-standard blood was being administered to patients by some private blood banks suspected to be involved in a major racket busted by the Uttar Pradesh Police, sources said.

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Jumps to Turkeys
Officials in Chile reported an outbreak of H1N1 (formerly Swine) Flu in turkeys on August 20, 2009. This is the first known case of H1N1 flu in a species besides humans and pigs. It is believed that, as with swine, the turkeys were infected by a human source.

Prosecutors reduce charges against scrub tech
Federal prosecutors reduced the number of charges they're pursuing against a surgery technician accused of swapping her dirty syringes for ones filled with powerful painkillers meant for patients, possibly exposing thousands to hepatitis C.

City backs biomedical waste disposal plan
Residents can count on Port Orange fire stations to safely dispose of used needles and syringes through a new community program.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

As promised several weeks ago, ISIPS has teamed up with the Safety Lady® to provide you with a number of educational video products including

Personal Protective Equipment
Shipping Infectious and Biological Materials
Laboratory Ergonomics
Chemical Hygiene
Bloodborne Pathogen

In addition, two "Game Format" reviews are also available.

Bloodborne Pathogen Quiz Show
Shipping Infectious and Biological Materials Quiz Show

To find out more information about these products click here.

To purchase the products click here.

OSHA Violations

...recent citations issued

Memorial Hospital Inc

Towanda, PA

$975

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

Failure to have an updated exposure control plan

Following an exposure the employer shall document the route(s) of exposure, and the circumstances under which the exposure incident occurred.

Following an exposure the employer shall document the type and brand of device involved in the incident.

Schryver Medical, Inc.

Colorado Spgs, CO

$4,500

Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps shall not be bent, recapped, or removed. Shearing or breaking of contaminated needles is prohibited.

Gloves shall be worn when it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee may have hand contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin; when performing vascular access procedure; and when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces.

Reusable containers shall not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner which would expose employees to the risk of percutaneous injury.

Hepatitis B vaccination shall be made available after the employee has received the training required within 10 working days of initial assignment to all employees who have occupational exposure unless the employee has previously received the complete hepatitis B vaccination series, antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune, or the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons

ISIPS Corporate Members

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

Real Needlestick and
Blood Exposure Stories

I've felt very sad for the last few days. I graduated in May 2008 and started in the ER at a local hospital. In October I was trying to start an IV on a man who came in and accidently pricked myself! We started all the usual protocol for this type of event as soon as it happened. I continued to be tested, but this Tuesday I got a call from the doc to come in. I'm now HIV+. I know its not the end of the world with all the advance they've made and what not, but I'm still very sad...especially since I've always dreamed of being a mother to many children. This may also affect my work. I've been on approved leave since finding out.

My last year as a nursing student, I pricked myself accidentally with a glucometer needle. this was after i took the guy's blood glucose with it. I checked his PMH in the chart for hiv or related conditions and there was nothing. I never reported this. I was embarrassed for being so careless and wanted to hide this happened. but ever since it is something that worries me and keeps me up at night. I know i need to get tested. I am so afraid of the results.

Featured Safety Product

All SharpGuard™ guarded knives are designed to meet "safer medical device" standards required by OSHA to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Identification, evaluation and selection of safer medical devices are key components of a facility "Exposure Control Plan" (ECP), requiring annual reviews and updates.

SharpGuard™ guarded knives are packaged in sterile blister trays in a closed, safe position, five units per box.

Directions for Use:

1. To Open:

With textured grip pointing away from body, slide grip back until it clicks to expose blade.

2. To Close:

With the blade pointing away from body, slide textured grip toward blade until it clicks into guarded position.

3. Disposal:

Close the knife into the guarded position. Place knife in an approved sharps container.

For more information click here.

The Right Step for You and Your Patient

Simple to use

Robust safety mechanism

Easy visibility of access site

Small footprint

Non-absorbent patient comfort pad

Non-coring needle

Latex free

Best overall value

SafeStep® Huber Needle Set combines excellent safety Huber needle technologan affordable, simple to use product. SafeStep features ay in robust safety mechanism with a clear base for easy site visibility. It boasts a small footprint, one of the smallest available today! Its patient comfort pad is soft and supple for patient comfort during infusion. SafeStep is the best overall value for you, your nurses, and your patients!

For more information regarding SafeStep Huber Needle Set, visit us online at www.safe-step.biz or call us at 800-306-3360.

For more information click here.

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 By Ron Stoker
Future Healthcare, Summer 2006 p 121-3

Academy for Safety Excellence

Terry Jo Gile, MT (ASCP), MA Ed.
The Safety Lady
and
Ronald L. Stoker, MS
Executive Director and Founder - ISIPS
International Sharps Injury Prevention Society

The Academy for Lab Safety Excellence is a program designed by Safety Lady LLC to help you make the transition from bench tech to lab safety officer. You will learn to navigate the world of laboratory safety from the Safety Lady. You will discover the secrets to lab safety excellence that has taken others years to acquire. You will be able to network with colleagues to help you solve your most challenging safety issues.

This Academy is a perfect way to advance your safety knowledge if you:

Are new to lab safety or have limited experience in lab safety issues
Find it frustrating to locate safety information from a variety of sources
Want to expand the impact of your lab safety expertise
Want to increase your effectiveness in educating staff on lab safety issues
Need ready access to colleagues whose expertise in lab safety is well known
Would like to network with your peers on a regular basis for lab safety ideas
Have a limited budget for safety education

You can expect:

A 30 minute personal mentoring phone call to address your specific lab safety challenges
A minimum of eight conference calls over a 12 month period with other members of the Academy to brainstorm safety issues and cover a particular safety topic including:
- Conducting a proper safety audit and why it is important
- Designing and implementing a comprehensive chemical hygiene program
- Protecting employees through the use of ergonomic tools and PPE
- Shipping of infectious and biological substances
  Infection control and prevention
- Bloodborne pathogens and sharps injury prevention
- What's new in waste management
- Training methods that won't put your staff to sleep
- Timely updates via email with lab safety information before it is posted on the website or in the Safety Savvy newsletter
- Special audio conferences with guest experts on a variety of lab safety topics
- Sample safety templates to make documentation easier
- Unlimited emails to the ISIPS Executive Secretary
- Discounts on featured Safety products
- Ten(10) P.A.C.E. contact hours after successfully completing the Academy

An investment of $249 for all sessions
Dates for the Academy:
- October 22, 2009, November 12. 2009, January 14, 2010, February 11, 2010, March 11, 2010, April 15, 2010, May 20, 2010, June 10, 2010

The scheduled start time for all Academy webinars will be

10 am PDT, 11 am MDT, 12 pm CDT, 1 pm PDT, A preview webinar will be held on September 22 at 11 am MDT.

Preview Webinar - Academy of Safety
Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:00am Mountain
Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice)
TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, CLICK THIS LINK NOW...
http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=8575968

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ISIPS
10046 Prestwick Circle

South Jordan, Utah 84095