While many regions of the United States are still in the middle of summer, fall and winter aren’t far behind and along with the cooler months comes the dreaded flu season. Almost one in every two U.S. citizens will attempt to avoid runny noses, coughs and other flu symptoms by receiving this year’s vaccine, which will put hundreds of thousands of nurses and healthcare workers at risk for needlestick injuries.
In an effort to protect those nurses and healthcare workers, Safe in Common is reminding healthcare facilities and other public sites that will administer the flu vaccine to use syringes with safety features that can protect providers from the risk of needlestick injuries.
To comply with federal Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, employers must use syringes with safety-engineered equipment, where commercially available, to help protect healthcare personnel and others at risk of infection from life threatening diseases. Employers who fail to comply with the requirements risk being issued citations and financial penalties by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
This year, pledge to keep both nurses and patients safe during flu season and encourage healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide their flu vaccines in prefilled syringes with integrated and automatic safety features. Not only will you be protected from the threat of the flu, you’ll be protecting healthcare personnel around the country and helping to ensure a safer working environment!
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