October 2007
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2008-101
Note: This publication supercedes 2007-132
![cover page for document 2008-101](images/2008-101.gif)
Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel: Safety and Health Information Bulletin
This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. The Bulletin is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The purpose is 1) to describe the hazard of sharp-tip suture needles as a source of percutaneous injuries to surgical personnel; 2) to present evidence of the effectiveness of blunt-tip suture needles in decreasing percutaneous injuries to surgical personnel, particularly when used to suture muscle and fascia; and 3) to emphasize OSHA’s requirement and NIOSH’s recommendation to use safer medical devices—in this case, blunt-tip suture needles—where clinically appropriate.
Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel: Safety and Health Information Bulletin [PDF - 281 KB]
View This Publication in
Contact Us:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov