Every day, countless healthcare professionals dedicate themselves to the well-being of others. More than 80% of Canada’s 1.5 million healthcare workers are female, and their commitment forms the backbone of our healthcare system. Yet, too often, their own safety is overlooked.
Women make up the majority of those at highest risk: in Canada, 92% of nurses, 80% of pharmacy technicians, and at least 65% of support workers are female. These professionals face disproportionate hazards, from needlestick injuries to exposure to hazardous drugs, which can result in serious outcomes and long-term health consequences. This reality not only threatens their well-being but also has a ripple effect on the healthcare system as a whole.
Building a Culture of Safety
Healthcare worker safety isn't just an individual concern; it is a collective responsibility that affects everyone. Creating a safe work environment is critical for maintaining a resilient healthcare system and ensuring continuity of care, especially now, when our healthcare teams are already stretched thin. When professionals can perform their duties without fear of injury or exposure, they can focus entirely on the patient in front of them. Avoidable risks should never be just part of the job.
Innovation in medical technology is a key part of our BD culture, offering solutions that prevent injuries before they happen. From safer needle designs to advanced drug-handling equipment, these advancements help reduce exposure to needlesticks, blood and hazardous drugs in the workplace. By implementing these solutions, we protect the well-being of our dedicated healthcare teams and strengthen the overall safety and resilience of the healthcare system.
In the event of a needlestick and potential exposure to a blood-borne pathogen, the healthcare worker becomes the patient. An assessment will be done to determine the need for post-exposure prophylaxis (e.g., medications and/or vaccinations to further reduce the risk of transmission). Baseline blood tests for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will be done at this visit, with follow-up blood tests to be done over the next three months to make sure none of these viruses have been transmitted. This “waiting period” can have impacts not only at work but at home.
The impacts of ongoing exposure to hazardous drugs can be less directly correlated; however, the evidence shows that exposure can lead to increased rates of cancer, organ damage, detrimental effects on DNA, as well as reproductive problems and harm to developing fetuses. I’ve been told by many oncology nurses who practiced prior to current safeguards that during the time when they were planning to start a family, they chose to rotate out of this department.
Taking Action for a Safer Future
By championing and investing in products that protect our workforce, we are not just investing in their well-being - we are investing in the health of our entire community. BD-Canada offers a range of solutions designed to reduce workplace risks, from safer needle technologies to innovative drug-handling systems, helping ensure that those who care for others can do so safely and confidently.
BD is committed to helping create a strong healthcare system by empowering those who put themselves at the frontline of care each day.
Ultimately, healthcare worker safety is inseparable from the broader theme of health equity and there is no room for compromise. A system cannot be equitable for patients if it is not safe for its providers. When healthcare professionals feel supported and protected, they are empowered to deliver the highest quality of care, leading to improved patient outcomes, and a more just and equitable system for all. We can all play a part in this.