Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act requires hospitals to use safer needles or alternative devices to minimize injuries. It also requires that hospitals involve rank-and-file health care workers in selecting new devices. We must ensure that LHH/MEETH is in compliance with the law. In order to do that, nurses must be familiar with the law's provisions. The Hospital must: Provide safer needles and other sharps with integrated safety features when medically appropriate. They should be available in syringes, blood collection devices, IV access products, lancets, and blunt suture needles. Provide interactive training on the use of safer devices. Inform the staff of the location of the written "exposure control program" and the procedures to follow if an exposure occurs. Provide a sharps injury log updated regularly with the details of all needlestick injuries, including device brand and type. The enforcement of this law is the responsibility of every NYPNU member. Nurses save lives. Sometimes it has to be their own. For more information about bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention, visit the OSHA website. © 2004 New York Professional Nurses Union Ph: 212.988.5565 1104 Lexington Ave #2D New York, NY 10021 nypnu@nypnu.org Home | About NYPNU | Your Rights At Work | Political Action | Members Only | Have Fun