Operating rooms are environments with a high risk of sharps injuries due to the frequent use of needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments during surgical procedures. Sharps injuries can happen anytime in the operating room.
Nurses on the Front Line
Workers in healthcare, especially nurses, are already reported as having one of the highest rates of work-related injuries. This risk of sharps injuries has long been a concern in healthcare, especially for nurses. The injuries can be serious, with potential for infection and emotional trauma.
A Persistent Threat
Sharps injuries remain a prevalent and dangerous threat for nurses in the operating room. In Europe, 1 million sharps injuries are reported annually. And that number might be even higher because around 50% of injuries go unreported.
Causes
The main causes of sharp injuries in nurses include improper disposal of sharps, using sharps improperly, and being in close proximity to sharps during medical procedures. Research has identified several factors that contribute to sharps injuries in the OR, including:
-
- Passing sharps hand-to-hand: This practice should be avoided whenever possible. Safe sharps disposal containers should be readily available.
- Overfilled sharps containers: When sharps containers are full, it increases the risk of accidental sticks or cuts while trying to dispose of sharps.
- Not using safety devices: Sharps safety devices, such as the sterile BladeCASSETTE Scalpel Blade Remover, or blunt suture needles, can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
- Time pressure and fatigue: The fast-paced environment of the OR can sometimes lead to a lapse in focus or adherence to safety protocols.
Consequences
Sharps injuries can have serious consequences for healthcare workers, including:
-
- Infection: Exposure to blood-borne pathogens like Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through a sharps injury can lead to infection.
- Psychological Stress: The fear of contracting a serious illness can cause significant emotional distress for healthcare workers who experience a sharps injury.
- Lost Work Time: Investigating and managing a sharps injury can lead to lost work time for the healthcare worker and potentially other staff involved.
The New Standard of Care: Staff Safety
According to the European Operating Room Nurses Association (EORNA) Best Practice for the prevention of sharps injuries perioperative staff should make sure to reduce the risk of injuries posed by medical sharps by implementing safe sharps practices such as the use to safety-engineered devices.
The Solution: Qlicksmart’s Sterile Scalpel Blade Removers
Qlicksmart’s range of sterile single-handed scalpel blade removers help facilities meet EORNA guidelines, as well as keep surgical staff safe from injuries in the Operating Room. These devices, Qlicksmart BladeCASSETTE, BladeSINGLE, and the BladeNeedleSYSTEM, provide an easy-to-use solution that can drastically reduce the amount of sharps injuries in healthcare facilities.
Remove 3 Scalpel Blades with the Sterile BladeCASSETTE
Maintain safe sharps practices in the Operating Theatre with the Qlicksmart BladeCASSETTE. Engineered by healthcare professionals, the BladeCASSETTE utilises automatic safety technology for safe and efficient scalpel blade removal, containment, counting, and disposal.
- Removes up to 3 scalpel blades, with a single-handed action
- Audible “QLICK™” sound signifies safe scalpel blade removal and containment
- Transparent cartridges for easy counting of contained blades
- Compact in size – perfect for Mayo stands
- Independently tested by a NATA accredited company for compliance to AS3825:2020
Is Your Facility Qlicksmart Safe?
To date, Qlicksmart safety devices have removed over 152 million scalpel blades, preventing an estimated 10,000 injuries in over 50 countries worldwide. More and more facilities are using Qlicksmart’s safety-engineered Scalpel Blade Removers. Is your facility Qlicksmart safe?
