Preventing Needlesticks in Emergency Medical System Workers

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Abstract
Emergencymedical system (EMS) workers frequently use sharp devices in injury-pronecircumstances that involve limited visibility, confined spaces, rapidly movingvehicles, and uncooperative victims. This study examined the efficacy of anautomatic self-retracting lancet in reducing needlestick injuries and relateddirect and indirect costs. Subjects were 477 active-duty EMS workers.Counseling, laboratory testing (hepatitis B and C, hepatic function enzymes,and human immunodeficiency virus), antiviral prophylaxis, and immunizationswere provided according to US Public Health Service guidelines. Baseline andbiennial laboratory testing for hepatitis B and C and liver function enzymeswere conducted. After the introduction of a spring-loaded automatic-retractingtype glucometer lancet device, needlestick injuries decreased from 16 per 954EMS worker-years to 2 per 477 EMS worker-years. The annualized cost oftreatment declined from $8276 to $2068. The change to a self-retracting devicedecreased the number of needlestick injuries and was cost-effective with aminimal increase in device cost (annualized $366 peryear).

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