Strategies for preventing sharps injuries in the operating room.
With the discovery of AIDS and HIV, the medical community began to widely recognize the dangers of serious illnesses spread-ing through contact with contaminated blood and body fluids. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and other groups have developed guidelines for the operating room to prevent the spread of infection from, for example, accidental needle sticks. Unfortunately, those guidelines are not always strictly followed. This article reviews studies that have examined precautionary practices, including such practices as double gloving, the use of blunt suture needles, and the use of neutral zones for passing sharps. The article also provides related sources for further information.
Berguer
Ramon
R
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, Department of Surgery, 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA 94553, USA. rberguer@yahoo.com
Heller
Paul J
PJ
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000592:standards*; D018570:Risk Assessment