Voldoen uw beleidslijnen en procedures inzake scherpe instrumenten aan de vereisten? (In het Engels)

Are your "Sharps" policies and procedures up to scratch?

Over 1 million needlestick injuries are estimated to occur in the EU each year. These injuries are gaining increasing recognition as a major hazard on the health and safety horizon. They are the most frequent occupational hazard for nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers, and have the potential to have devastating consequences. In addition, needlestick injuries are estimated to cost each NHS Trust around £500,000 per year.

In May 2010 the EU Council adopted a new European Directive on sharps injuries ("sharps"), which implements a Framework Agreement developed by EU social partners in healthcare. The Framework Agreement was devised following a period of consultation launched as part of the continued EU agenda on health and safety at work and patient safety.

The objective of the Framework Agreement is to protect workers in the healthcare sector and patients at risk of injury fromsharps. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the risk of sharp injuries. Where this is not possible, the aim is to reduce risk to the minimal level achievable.

By 11 May 2013 the UK must have in place national legislation to implement the Directive. This means that all employers in the healthcare sector, both public and private alike, will be forced to put the provisions of the Framework Agreement into practice at this time. However, the Framework Agreement was designed to provide a structure for organisations to take practical and effective steps to reduce these serious occupational hazards before the national legislation is published.

Referentie van de volledige paper:
Are your "Sharps" policies and procedures up to scratch? Available at: https://www.bevanbrittan.com/insights/articles/2011/sharpspoliciesandprocedures/ (accessed April 2011).