The Experts below are selected from a list of 24 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Monica Vitale - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Sharps injury reduction using a Sharps Container with enhanced engineering a 28 hospital nonrandomized intervention and cohort study
    American Journal of Infection Control, 2010
    Co-Authors: Terry Grimmond, Suzann Bylund, Candace Anglea, Lou Beeke, Angela Callahan, Erik Christiansen, Kelly Flewelling, Kathleen Mcintosh, Kay Richter, Monica Vitale
    Abstract:

    Background The decrease in reported Sharps injuries (SI) in the United States has markedly slowed. Additional devices and strategies need investigation. Sharps Containers are associated with SI, and more than 90% of these injuries are related to Container design. This study addresses the hypothesis that Containers with enhanced engineering can reduce SI. Methods In a before/after intervention study from 2006 to 2008, we examined the impact of conversion to a Sharps Container with enhanced engineering (the Device) on SI categories in 14 Ascension Health hospitals (study group). The Device’s safety features included large horizontal aperture, sensitive counterbalanced door, large atrium, and passive overfill prevention. Study group results were also compared with a control cohort of 14 contemporaneous size-matched, Ascension Health hospitals (control group). Results The Device was associated with significant reductions in after-procedure (−30%), disposal-related (−57%), and Container-associated (−81%) SI in the study group. No significant reductions occurred in Container-associated Sharps injuries in the control group. Hospitals using the Device had significantly fewer total SI than control hospitals. Conclusion Enhanced aperture design can significantly reduce Container-associated Sharps injuries. Other factors contributing to reduced injuries may include 1-hand deposit, safe closure, hand restriction, and preassembly. These results, from a country where Sharps safety devices are widespread, are particularly applicable to countries where safety devices are not extensively used.

Terry Grimmond - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Frequency of use and activation of safety-engineered Sharps devices: a Sharps Container audit in five Australian capital cities
    Healthcare infection, 2014
    Co-Authors: Terry Grimmond
    Abstract:

    Abstract Introduction Sharps injuries (SI) among healthcare personnel (HCP) in Australia are of such concern the matter was brought before Parliament in 2013. Many SI from safety-engineered devices (SED) are due to nonactivation. Monitoring of activation is recommended. This paper outlines a Sharps Container (SC) contents audit conducted in Australian capital cities. Methods Reusable, 22 L SC (Sharpsmart, Daniels Corporation, Melbourne) were randomly selected from random healthcare facilities (HCF) in five cities. Wearing protective apparel, the operator opened and decanted SC and sorted hollow-bore needles (HBN) into: capped v. uncapped non-SED, and activated or non-fully activated SED. Volumes and weights were recorded for inter-study comparisons. WinPepi v2.78 was used to calculate probability (significance set at ≤ 0.05), relative-risk and 95% confidence limits. Results 1212 L of Sharps (167.9 kg) from 102 SC from 27 hospitals were audited. Many devices were bloodcontaminated. Of the 9651 HBN, 30.4% were SED and 19.4% of the SED were not, or partially, activated. Of the 6718 non-SED, 30.6% were capped needles or capped needle-syringes. City averages for capped or naked Sharps ranged from 64.2% (Sydney) to 97.8% (Adelaide) while hospital averages ranged from 32.6 to 100%. Overall, 54.2% of devices were discarded ‘sharp'. Conclusions It is disturbing that 75.5% of hollow-bore needles were capped or naked, indicating a high proportion of Australian HCP are unnecessarily at risk of SI while handling Sharps. The high non-use of SED and non-activation of SED needs researching.Widespread SED evaluation and adoption (automatic and semi-automatic SED where feasible), repetitive competency training and safety-ownership are needed. Legislation may be indicated.

  • Sharps injury reduction using a Sharps Container with enhanced engineering a 28 hospital nonrandomized intervention and cohort study
    American Journal of Infection Control, 2010
    Co-Authors: Terry Grimmond, Suzann Bylund, Candace Anglea, Lou Beeke, Angela Callahan, Erik Christiansen, Kelly Flewelling, Kathleen Mcintosh, Kay Richter, Monica Vitale
    Abstract:

    Background The decrease in reported Sharps injuries (SI) in the United States has markedly slowed. Additional devices and strategies need investigation. Sharps Containers are associated with SI, and more than 90% of these injuries are related to Container design. This study addresses the hypothesis that Containers with enhanced engineering can reduce SI. Methods In a before/after intervention study from 2006 to 2008, we examined the impact of conversion to a Sharps Container with enhanced engineering (the Device) on SI categories in 14 Ascension Health hospitals (study group). The Device’s safety features included large horizontal aperture, sensitive counterbalanced door, large atrium, and passive overfill prevention. Study group results were also compared with a control cohort of 14 contemporaneous size-matched, Ascension Health hospitals (control group). Results The Device was associated with significant reductions in after-procedure (−30%), disposal-related (−57%), and Container-associated (−81%) SI in the study group. No significant reductions occurred in Container-associated Sharps injuries in the control group. Hospitals using the Device had significantly fewer total SI than control hospitals. Conclusion Enhanced aperture design can significantly reduce Container-associated Sharps injuries. Other factors contributing to reduced injuries may include 1-hand deposit, safe closure, hand restriction, and preassembly. These results, from a country where Sharps safety devices are widespread, are particularly applicable to countries where safety devices are not extensively used.

K. H. Wickramasinghe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Practices related to Sharps disposal among diabetic patients in Sri Lanka
    BMC, 2018
    Co-Authors: K. R. Atukorala, S. I. Wickramasinghe, R. D. N. Sumanasekera, K. H. Wickramasinghe
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Patients with diabetes on insulin therapy use Sharps (e.g., needles) on a regular basis and a considerable proportion of them, within their home environments. These Sharps and other bloodstained materials, if not disposed of appropriately has the potential to be a public health hazard. Objective Our objective was to explore the practices related to Sharps disposal among patients with diabetes from North Colombo Teaching Hospital (CNTH), Ragama, Sri Lanka. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 158 patients with diabetes from the CNTH. Patients had to use Sharps for the daily management of their disease for inclusion into the study group. Data were collected on Sharps disposal practices using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Clinic records were also used as a secondary data source. Results Most patients, 153/158 (96.8%) used syringes to inject insulin. Forty-three patients (27%) involved others (e.g., family) when disposing of Sharps. Used Sharps were commonly disposed to the household garbage bin by 66 participants (41.7%). Other methods used for Sharps disposal were: Sharps Container, toilet pit, household garbage dump and indiscriminate measures. Importantly most patients, 147 (93%) had received no information on how to dispose of Sharps after usage. Conclusion Patients commonly used unsafe practices in home-based Sharps disposal. These included disposing of in the household garbage bin, burning Sharps in the household garbage dump and disposing of into the common garbage dump of the community. Being male and being > 60 years of age was associated with a higher dependence on family members for Sharps disposal. Patient education and public resources for Sharps handling can help improve this situation

Wickramasinghe K. H. - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Practices related to Sharps disposal among diabetic patients in Sri Lanka
    'Springer Science and Business Media LLC', 2018
    Co-Authors: Atukorala K. R., Wickramasinghe S., Sumanasekera R. D.n., Wickramasinghe K. H.
    Abstract:

    Patients with diabetes on insulin therapy use Sharps (e.g., needles) on a regular basis and a considerable proportion of them, within their home environments. These Sharps and other bloodstained materials, if not disposed of appropriately has the potential to be a public health hazard.Our objective was to explore the practices related to Sharps disposal among patients with diabetes from North Colombo Teaching Hospital (CNTH), Ragama, Sri Lanka.We conducted a cross-sectional study on 158 patients with diabetes from the CNTH. Patients had to use Sharps for the daily management of their disease for inclusion into the study group. Data were collected on Sharps disposal practices using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Clinic records were also used as a secondary data source.Most patients, 153/158 (96.8%) used syringes to inject insulin. Forty-three patients (27%) involved others (e.g., family) when disposing of Sharps. Used Sharps were commonly disposed to the household garbage bin by 66 participants (41.7%). Other methods used for Sharps disposal were: Sharps Container, toilet pit, household garbage dump and indiscriminate measures. Importantly most patients, 147 (93%) had received no information on how to dispose of Sharps after usage.Patients commonly used unsafe practices in home-based Sharps disposal. These included disposing of in the household garbage bin, burning Sharps in the household garbage dump and disposing of into the common garbage dump of the community. Being male and being > 60\ua0years of age was associated with a higher dependence on family members for Sharps disposal. Patient education and public resources for Sharps handling can help improve this situation

K. R. Atukorala - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Practices related to Sharps disposal among diabetic patients in Sri Lanka
    BMC, 2018
    Co-Authors: K. R. Atukorala, S. I. Wickramasinghe, R. D. N. Sumanasekera, K. H. Wickramasinghe
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Patients with diabetes on insulin therapy use Sharps (e.g., needles) on a regular basis and a considerable proportion of them, within their home environments. These Sharps and other bloodstained materials, if not disposed of appropriately has the potential to be a public health hazard. Objective Our objective was to explore the practices related to Sharps disposal among patients with diabetes from North Colombo Teaching Hospital (CNTH), Ragama, Sri Lanka. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 158 patients with diabetes from the CNTH. Patients had to use Sharps for the daily management of their disease for inclusion into the study group. Data were collected on Sharps disposal practices using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Clinic records were also used as a secondary data source. Results Most patients, 153/158 (96.8%) used syringes to inject insulin. Forty-three patients (27%) involved others (e.g., family) when disposing of Sharps. Used Sharps were commonly disposed to the household garbage bin by 66 participants (41.7%). Other methods used for Sharps disposal were: Sharps Container, toilet pit, household garbage dump and indiscriminate measures. Importantly most patients, 147 (93%) had received no information on how to dispose of Sharps after usage. Conclusion Patients commonly used unsafe practices in home-based Sharps disposal. These included disposing of in the household garbage bin, burning Sharps in the household garbage dump and disposing of into the common garbage dump of the community. Being male and being > 60 years of age was associated with a higher dependence on family members for Sharps disposal. Patient education and public resources for Sharps handling can help improve this situation