Healthcare Worker Safety

Seeking even more advanced protection for healthcare workers, BD has introduced the BD Vacutainer Push Button Blood Collection Set, designed with the specific goal of preventing needlestick injuries during blood sample collection. Developed with extensive input from clinicians, this is the first semi-automatic winged needle set with next-generation features including intuitive, onehanded in-vein activation. The easier the device is to use, the more likely healthcare workers are to use it properly, thereby complying with safety guidelines and reducing injuries.

BD offers the most complete line of advanced protection products in the industry, with more than 300 indi-vidual catalog numbers. BD's leadership role in the effort to protect healthcare workers from accidental sharps injuries is showing highly positive results. According to the EPINet™ computerized surveillance program, which tracks needlestick injuries to nurses in the U.S., the injury rate fell 51 percent overall between 1993 and 2001 (the most recent year for which figures are available). In fact, in eight of nine device categories tracked by EPINet, needlestick injuries to nurses fell at rates ranging from 55 to 100 percent.

BD is advancing safety in blood collection with its BD Vacutainer Push Button Blood Collection Set. It joins a wide range of safety-engineered blood collection devices, including the BD Vacutainer Eclipse Blood Collection Needle, which is widely used in the U.S. and is also winning acceptance in Canada, Europe and Japan.

BD is also focusing attention on the operating room with the launch of the BD Bard-Parker Protected Blade System. This product offering complements the BD Bard-Parker Protected Disposable Scalpel, introduced in 2001 as a safer alternative to conventional disposable scalpels. The BD Bard-Parker Protected Blade System incorporates that same form and function in a reusable stainless-steel surgical handle. A clear plastic sliding shield that locks with an audible click and tactile feedback differentiates the BD product. When retracted for use, the shield becomes an integral part of the handle. When the blade is covered, the audible click and tactile feedback recur. The shield is easily activated with one finger; however, the clinician must also press down to release the shield. This combination of the two motions ensures that the shield is not moved accidentally.

The BD Bard-Parker Protected Blade System was launched with the most popular size handle and blade sizes. BD is adding to the line with a goal of offering blades and handles in all configurations and sizes.

For ophthalmic surgery, BD expanded its line of safety- engineered products this year with the introduction of the BD Safety Knife with BD Xstar Blade. The single-use knife features an integrated safety shield to protect the BD Xstar Blade, which is manufactured using a proprietary grindless technology for sharpness and consistency. The integrated safety shield is activated by the user through a spring-assisted slider that provides tactile and audible feedback in the shielded and unshielded positions.