1. Needlestick Injuries National & EU Developments ANNETTE KENNEDY President European Federation of Nurses Associations & Director of Professional Development Irish Nurses Organisation 22 nd April 2006 National Needlestick Conference 2006

2. Why we need EU Action?

3. 1 million needlestick injuries are suffered by healthcare workers each year (est.)

4. 12 – 30% of incidents per 100 beds per year 60 – 80% of incidents unreported > 60% could be avoided

5. Germany 1 out of 15 incidents involves Hepatitis C positive patients 500,000 needlestick injuries per annum = 32,000 healthcare workers exposed to Hepatitis C

6. RCN (2000) 9 out of 10 (90%) nurses use needles or sharps in work 1 out of 3 (35%) exposed to sharps injury

7. Safety and Health of Workers: EU Directive 89/391 Work Equipment: EU Directive 89/655 Biological Agents: EU Directive 2000/54

8. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work FACTS 29 ISSN 1681-2123  Eliminate use of needles (where possible)  Use devices with safety features  Improve work practice  Training & Education

9. Legal requirements versus Non legal requirements Examples: US, Spain, Brussels Vs Germany, UK, France

10. EU Campaign for Legislation

11. Solutions National Interpretation & Implementation of Current Legislation& Guidelines Medical Devices with shielding

12. Cost of Prevention Vs Cost of Treatment

13. Key Messages National – Action EU - Action

14. Cost is not an excuse for employers to avoid implementing measures to protect healthcare workers from avoidable occupational injury