Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act

The House and Senate enacted the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act this fall [2000], to take effect in the new year.

The new legislation has the following four essential program elements: one--the use of "safer" devices; two--an exposure control; three--an injury log; and four--involvement of workers in device selection.

1. the law requires the use of sharps injury prevention devices ("safer devices") wherever possible. These include so-called needle-less systems, tractable needles, and other newer devices with so-called "engineered safety characteristics";

2. written exposure control plan that is updated annually to reflect consideration and use of safety devices, formalizing the November 1999 compliance guide. The exposure control plan must now annually do two additional things. First it must reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens; and, second, it must document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.

3. the Act requires a sharps injury log with detailed information on the type and brand of device, the department or work areas where the incident occurred, and an explanation of how the incident occurred. The ASISTS system, will be modified to meet the Act requirements with the needle stick law. We are analyzing the requirements now and will provide any patches through the normal VISTA distribution system. This is yet another reason to make sure your facility is using ASISTS and all its patches.

4. frontline workers must be involved in selection, evaluation and implementation of safety devices, as was suggested and developed in the NCCC monographs.

We will be providing additional guidance as we complete our analysis and consult with clinical and safety experts in and outside of VA.