The World Health Organization has launched a new policy on injection safety, which highlights the value of using devices protecting healthcare providers from accidental needle sticks and patients from infections.
"Adoption of safety-engineered syringes is absolutely critical to protecting people worldwide from being infected with HIV, hepatitis and other diseases," said Gottfried Hirnschall, MD, director of WHO's HIV/AIDS department. "This should be an urgent priority for all countries."
The WHO-recommended syringes for injections into muscle or skin have features that prevent re-use. Also, other "smart" syringes help prevent needle stick injuries by sliding a sheath or hood over the needle after the injection is completed.
The WHO urges countries to exclusively use new "smart" syringes in all but a few special circumstances by 2020. One roadblock to reaching this goal is expense: "smart" syringes cost nearly twice as much as syringes without safety features, according to the WHO. Therefore, the agency urges donors to help with this transition and hopes prices will fall as demand increases.