Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Evaluation Of Needleless Intravenous Therapy Devices, Tina Jones

Theses

As the number of persons infected with bloodborne diseases continues to increase, it is paramount that all health care workers exhibit behaviors reflecting unerring compliance with universal precaution.

The majority of occupational exposures to potentially infectious blood and body fluids occur via needlestick injury. The morbidity and mortality from these exposures is significant. A review of research examining work practices mandated by the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard challenges their effectiveness. Principles identified provide insight into why work practice may not prevent needlesticks.

Several industries are developing new products to address this situation, but there are few data on how well these …