Medical science is the field of treating diseases and helping people recover from illnesses. Doctors and other medical staff use several procedures and equipment to help patients recover from injuries and diseases. In doing so, sometimes they also put their lives at risk. One example of this is the use of needles. If a healthcare worker accidentally pricks himself with a contaminated needle, he can come into contact with blood-borne pathogens of the patients that can cause an infection. Several diseases including Hepatitis B, C, D, and HIV can be caused by the accidental prick of a contaminated needle. For this reason, safe needles and syringes are used to eliminate the chances of diseases caused by accidental needle pricks. Today we are going to discuss safety needles and their types.
What is a safety needle?
A safety needle is a type of needle that includes a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of needle stick injuries among healthcare workers and others.
The difference between a safety syringe and a safety needle is that a safety syringe includes the safety mechanism in the syringe while the safety needle itself includes a mechanism that helps lower the risk of accidents. These safety needles are manufactured keeping in mind the safety of healthcare workers.
The number of people who accidentally prick themselves with a contaminated needle may need to take several tests to check that they have not developed any infection or disease. Apart from the suffering, it can cause additional costs for tests and treatment.
To avoid all these problems safety needles are developed which may include a device to secure the needle after use or it can have an irreversible needle covering.
Why safety needles should be used?
It has been reported that approximately 600000 to 800000 accidental needle stick injuries occur in the United States of America annually. These accidental injuries can prove dangerous as anyone who accidentally sticks himself with a contaminated needle comes into contact with blood-borne pathogens and infection-causing fluids.
These cases often go unreported but these accidental injuries can cause infection and transfer diseases in healthy healthcare workers. To avoid these accidental injuries from contaminated needles and their further complications, safe needles have been developed.
These needles use several safety mechanisms that help to protect healthcare workers from such injuries. Several manufacturers have developed different safety needles including protective shields, retractable needles, and, locking mechanisms.
The sole purpose of developing all of these safety mechanisms is to ensure a healthy environment for healthcare workers and eliminate the chances of accidental needle stick injuries in medical settings.
Types of safety needles
Safety needles have been developed as safety-engineered sharps. With the help of these needles, the chances of accidentally sticking a needle by someone reduce and even eliminate. Accidentally sticking a needle can prove dangerous as it can cause transferring an infection or disease. Several types of safety needles are manufactured by a wide range of manufacturers. Some types of safety needles are as follows.
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Safetyglide needle
A safety glide needle is a type of hypodermic needle that includes Activation-assist technology. This technology allows minimum change in the technique and ensures safety. It also includes a luer-lok connection which helps to securely attach the needle to any standard syringe. The safety glide needles are helpful in subcutaneous and intradermal injections. These needles can help to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and other staff.
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Eclipse needle
The eclipse needle is a sterile needle that has a safety mechanism. This safety mechanism covers the needlepoint after use and in this way helps to protect healthcare workers and others from accidental sticking of the needle. When the safety mechanism is activated, this mechanism helps to handle the needle without any chances of needle stick injuries.
Eclipse needle
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Magellan safety needle
This safety needle includes an easy activation method and provides three different options for the activation of the safety mechanism.
You can activate the safety mechanism using your finger, thumb, or surface. When the safety mechanism is activated you will hear an audible click which signals the activation of the safety mechanism of the needle.
The safety shield of the needle provides 360-degree protection from the needle and consequently helps to prevent injuries and further complications in healthcare workers. These needles are single-use needles.
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Vanishpoint syringes
The vanishpoint syringe and needle involve the mechanism of retractable needles. These syringes and needles are easy to use and helpful in reducing needle stick injuries as it eliminates the used needle exposure to healthcare workers. In this way, it can help save the workers from any risk of accidental sticking of the needle.
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Auto shield duo pen needle
The auto shield duo pen needle is a safety pen needle. It includes automatic dual protection shields on both ends of the needle. This pen is compatible with diabetes medication. The pen needle’s protection sheets allow fewer chances of exposure to contaminated needles and thus help to ensure a safe environment for healthcare workers.
Insulin auto shield duo pen needle
Conclusion
Safety needles are safety-engineered sharps that provide additional security to healthcare workers or anyone who might use needles on a regular basis.
The accidental sticking of a needle can be dangerous for the health of workers as the contaminated needle may become the cause of transferring disease. It can also cause an infection.
Safety needles help to eliminate these chances of accidental needle sticks and consequently help minimize the chances of disease transfer and infection among healthcare workers.
These safety needles are available in the market in a wide range and can be used in place of traditional needles to ensure patient and medical staff safety. These safety needles involve several safety mechanisms including protective shields, locking mechanisms, and, retractable needles.
These safety mechanisms ensure a safe environment for healthcare workers. To avoid accidents related to needle sticking and improve safety procedures, safe needles have become a must-have in medical settings.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
