Integration of safety technologies into rheumatology and orthopedics practices: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and integrate new safety technologies into outpatient musculoskeletal procedures and measure the effect on outcome, including pain.


METHODS
Using national resources for patient safety and literature review, the following safety technologies were identified: a safety needle to reduce inadvertent needlesticks to heath care workers, and the reciprocating procedure device (RPD) to improve patient safety and reduce pain. Five hundred sixty-six musculoskeletal procedures involving syringes and needles were randomized to either an RPD group or a conventional syringe group, and pain, quality, safety, and physician acceptance were measured.


RESULTS
During 566 procedures, no accidental needlesticks occurred with safety needles. Use of the RPD resulted in a 35.4% reduction (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 24-46%) in patient-assessed pain (mean +/- SD scores on a visual analog pain scale [VAPS] 3.12 +/- 2.23 for the RPD and 4.83 +/- 3.22 for the conventional syringe; P < 0.001) and a 49.5% reduction (95% CI 34-64%) in patient-assessed significant pain (VAPS score > or =5) (P < 0.001). Physician acceptance of the RPD combined with a safety needle was excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
As mandated by the Joint Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, safety technologies and the use of pain scales can be successfully integrated into rheumatologic and orthopedic procedures. The combination of a safety needle to reduce needlestick injuries to health care workers and the RPD to improve safety and outcome of patients is effective and well accepted by physicians.
Moorjani
Gautam R
GR
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Bedrick
Edward J
EJ
Michael
Adrian A
AA
Peisajovich
Andres
A
Sibbitt
Wilmer L
WL
Bankhurst
Arthur D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012449:Safety; D013594:Syringes