Sharps Safety and OSHA Compliance: Staying on the Right Side of the Law
Despite legislation, regulation and stepped-up oversight and education campaigns by public and private sectors, needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries persist, although with variance in the rates depending on the healthcare setting. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard outlines what employers must do to protect workers who are occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), and on Nov. 6, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed into law the bloodborne pathogens standard (BBP) by way of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.
Endoscopes and Lumened Instruments: New Studies Highlight Persistent Contamination Risks
May 7th 2025Two new studies reveal troubling contamination in both new endoscopes and cleaned lumened surgical instruments, challenging the reliability of current reprocessing practices and manufacturer guidelines.
Happy Hand Hygiene Day! Rethinking Glove Use for Safer, Cleaner, and More Ethical Health Care
May 5th 2025Despite their protective role, gloves are often misused in health care settings—undermining hand hygiene, risking patient safety, and worsening environmental impact. Alexandra Peters, PhD, points out that this misuse deserves urgent attention, especially today, World Hand Hygiene Day.
