News & Events

Leading experts share best practices and innovative solutions

New Delhi, India (May 03, 2007) – BD Medical, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, today convened a panel discussion on healthcare worker safety.  Key stakeholders, including clinicians, nurses and hospital service providers gathered to share knowledge on how to ensure greater workplace safety for healthcare workers. 

Senior management of reputed hospitals, leading anesthetists and infection control professionals all participated in the lively discussion.  Topics at the session included awareness levels of associated risks, surveillance status in India and recent drivers of increasing concern on this issue.

In addition to gathering experts to discuss the timely topics, BD Medical also announced the launch of the BD Venflon™ Pro Safety IV Catheter, with safety features against needlestick injury.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Ram Sharma, Managing Director, BD Medical in India said, “The launch reaffirms BD’s commitment to healthcare worker safety in India. In addition to providing technology solutions like the BD Venflon Pro IV Safety Catheter, BD will proactively work with key stakeholders to build awareness, share knowledge and best practices.”

Needlestick injuries can lead to the transmission of fatal bloodborne infections including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).   Each year, sharps injuries are responsible for 65,600 new HBV infections, 16,400 new HCV infections and 1,000 new HIV infections.*  According to a study conducted at the Hinduja hospital in Mumbai, most needlestick injuries occur during intravenous line insertion, followed by blood collection and then surgical blade injury and recapping needles.**

The BD Venflon Pro Safety IV Catheter is designed to safeguard healthcare workers from needlestick injuries owing to its advanced needle shield design. Once activated, the needle tip is encapsulated inside the smooth-edged plastic shield thereby reducing the risk of healthcare workers injuring themselves with a sharp needle tip and offering greater protection against needlestick injuries. In fact, in a recent study conducted in Europe, over 86% of the clinicians surveyed gave BD Venflon Pro Safety IV Catheter a more than adequate rating for protection against needlestick injuries.***

About BD
BD, a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people’s health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. The Company’s capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world’s most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 27,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

BD started operations in India in 1996, a century after its genesis in New Jersey, USA, and initiated a new era in patient safety in India with its world-class products. It operates in India through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Becton Dickinson India Pvt. Ltd. 

BD in India has a world-class, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Bawal near Rewari in Haryana, with an initial outlay of Rs. 110 crores. This facility is amongst the largest syringe and medical device manufacturing plants in Asia and produces products recognized around the world, including disposable needles, syringes and catheters. The manufacturing techniques are of international standards and the factory has been recognized by the Haryana State Industrial Corporation.

* A.Rapiti, A. Pruss-Ustun, Y Hutin, “Sharps Injuries,“ Environmental Burden of Disease Series, No. 11, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2005.

** Needlestick injuries in a Tertiary Care centre in Mumbai, India A. Mehta, C Rodrigues Journal of hospital infection ( 2005 ) 60, 368-373

*** Data on file, from a recent Clinical study in Europe