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Sharpsmart: Impact of Engineering on Sharps Injuries

 

Authors:   Grimmond T, Bylund S, Anglea C, Beeke L, Callahan A, Christiansen E, Flewelling K, McIntosh K, Richter K, Vitale M

Publication:   American Journal of Infection Control 2010; 38: Pages 799-805.

 

Summary: 

What was the study? 

This 2 year, 28 hospital before-and-after study ‘Sharps injury reduction using a sharps container with enhanced engineering: a 28 hospital nonrandomised intervention and cohort study’ examined the impact of conversion from disposable sharps containers to the Sharpsmart reusable sharps container.

 

What were the results?


In the 14 hospitals who converted to Sharpsmart reusable sharps containers:

  • After-Procedure Sharps Injuries (SI) fell 30%
  • Disposal Related Sharps Injuries fell 57%
  • Sharps Container Associated Sharps Injuries fell 81%


In the control group using disposable sharps containers:

  • No significant reductions occurred in sharps container associated injuries
  • Total Sharps Injuries increased
     

Hospitals using the Sharpsmart reusable sharps containers had significantly fewer total Needlestick Injuries than the control hospitals.

Enhanced aperture design can significantly reduce container-associated Sharps Injuries. Other factors contributing to reduced injuries may include hand deposit, safe closure, hand restriction, and pre-assembly."

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