The FDA, CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA has issued guidance, in which they strongly encourage healthcare professionals to use blunt-tip suture needles as an alternative to standard suture needles when suturing fascia and muscle to decrease the risk of needlestick injury.
Published studies show use of blunt-tip suture needles reduces the risk of needlestick injuries from suture needles by 69 percent. Although blunt-tip suture needles currently cost some 70 cents more than their standard suture needle counterparts, a 2007 report suggests that the slight difference in costs of blunt- and sharp-tip suture needles is balanced by the economic savings associated with needlestick injury prevention.
This report, which assessed the costs of managing occupational exposures to blood and body fluids, concluded that the cost of managing a needlestick injury can range from $376 to $2,456 per reported incident. In addition, personnel who receive needlestick injuries may experience anxiety and a loss of productivity as they await the results of blood tests.
Blunt-tip suture needles are regulated by the FDA and have been marketed in the U.S. for more than 25 years.
Published studies show use of blunt-tip suture needles reduces the risk of needlestick injuries from suture needles by 69 percent. Although blunt-tip suture needles currently cost some 70 cents more than their standard suture needle counterparts, a 2007 report suggests that the slight difference in costs of blunt- and sharp-tip suture needles is balanced by the economic savings associated with needlestick injury prevention.
This report, which assessed the costs of managing occupational exposures to blood and body fluids, concluded that the cost of managing a needlestick injury can range from $376 to $2,456 per reported incident. In addition, personnel who receive needlestick injuries may experience anxiety and a loss of productivity as they await the results of blood tests.
Blunt-tip suture needles are regulated by the FDA and have been marketed in the U.S. for more than 25 years.
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