Notes from the field: Why haven’t you switched to safety devices?
During a recent mock OSHA inspection, I was interviewing the staff as part of my review. One of the things that I asked was to see the safety needles they were using.
Both of the medical assistant’s sheepishly looked at each other. One of them spoke up and said that they were “not allowed.”
I wanted to be sure I heard correctly, so I repeated “not allowed?”
She said the physician would not order safety needles because “they are just too expensive”
I asked if they had ever been able to evaluate any safety devices. The answer was a resounding “NO.”
Being careful not to speak negatively about their boss, I moved on to the remainder of my review questions. At the end of my visit, I asked if I could speak to the physician/owner of the practice.
When he walked into the room where I was waiting, he said. “I’m in trouble aren’t I?”
I told him that my job was to keep him out of trouble. I asked him if he was aware of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard that was amended January 18, 2001.
He replied he knew he was supposed to switch to safety needles, but thought the price was just too expensive.
I informed him that he could not use “too costly” as a reason not to evaluate and implement safety needles, lancets, and scalpels as soon as possible. I told him of the risk he had imposed on himself and his staff. We discussed what the implications of a staff needlestick could be if they became infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV.
If that wasn’t bad enough, any member of his staff could rightfully report him to OSHA for refusing to allow them to use safety sharps devices. I let him know that type fine alone could be thousands of dollars.
After a lengthy conversation, the physician agreed he needed to allow his staff to evaluate safety devices as soon as possible. I pointed out the Safety Needle/Syringe Evaluation forms in his newly purchased HCPro OSHA Program Manual for Medical Facilities (see editor’s note below).
Nine years after the amended Bloodborne Pathogen standard became effective, every medical practice should be using safety sharps, or be in the process of finding devices that meet their needs and are agreed upon by all staff members.
The cost of using safety needles, lancets, and scalpels is nothing compared to the life and safety of the physician and staff members.
Editor’s note. The Tools page has for free downloadable forms:
- Safety Device Evaluation Forms (needle/syringe, phlebotomy, general safety device)
- Safety Needles and Sharps Checklist
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Kathy Rooker
Kathy Rooker is the safety officer and owner of Columbus Healthcare & Safety Consultants, Canal Winchester, OH (krookerchsc@gmail.com or 614-833-9092). Rooker has more than 35 years experience working in the healthcare field and currently provides OSHA and CLIA consulting and inspections for physician practices and conducts OSHA annual training seminars in and around Central Ohio. In her "Notes from the Field" posts, she shares real life OSHA compliance issues and offers solutions to these sometimes complicated situations.
Kathy has written 28 posts.
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