Are We Still in the Dark Ages of Sharps Safety?

“For the most part, physicians say the current safety scalpels on the market are too much of a change from their current slab blade and scalpel design – and they will not use them until forced,” Fernandes observes.

“It is imperative that patient safety and quality of care are not compromised in any way,” says Sinnot. “When a device either impedes surgery or restricts quality of care, it should not be used. For example, surgeons are very particular about their implement of choice; they prefer the traditional metal scalpel handle for a reason. Is a ‘safety scalpel’ really the best option for patients when it obstructs the surgeon’s line of sight and restricts the depth of their incision necessary for particular procedures? Is a ‘safety scalpel’ really safe when a surgeon needs to remember to actively slide the sheath over the blade to prevent cutting a nurse during passing, mistaking it as already safe?”

“We often hear about the need for continued support for education and service to maintain the “culture of safety” a specific facility has worked to create, but it is often challenged by staff turnover and cuts in expenditures in their training budgets,” Rose says.

Zero Tolerance for Sharps Injuries

Clinicians and industry members agree that the zero-tolerance mentality being applied to infection prevention in patients ought to be applied to preventing occupational sharps injuries with the same degree of rigor.