Safe in Common has released the "Top 10 Golden Rules of Safety" to reduce the risk of needlestick and sharps injuries in the healthcare setting.
The 10 rules are intended to provide guidelines for healthcare workers using or purchasing sharps. Several of the rules are related to a device's safety mechanism, which is a feature that protects healthcare workers, such as a sheath covering a needle after use. Here is the list of rules:
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1. The design and activation of the safety mechanism is automatic and will not interfere with normal operating procedures and processes.
2. The device is intuitive and requires no additional steps for use than equivalent standard/conventional device.
3. The contaminated, non-sterile sharp will be rendered safe prior to removal or exposure to the environment.
4. Activation of the safety mechanism does not require the healthcare worker to undertake any additional steps during normal process/protocols providing patient care.
5. Activation of the safety mechanism will not create additional occupational hazards (such as aerosolization, splatter, exposure to other potentially infectious material, etc.).
6. Activation of the safety mechanism does not cause additional discomfort or harm to the patient.
7. The device will be ergonomically designed for comfort, allowing for automatic one-handed use during all stages of patient procedure.
8. The safer engineering control is available in sizes and iterations appropriate for all areas of use relevant to the patient care needs.
9. Disposal of safety device will not increase waste disposal volumes but should incorporate designs to reduce waste.
10. The used safety device will provide convenient disposal and mitigate any risk of reuse or re-exposure of the non-sterile sharp.
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