What are safer sharps devices, and do we always have to use them?
Safer sharps devices are those needles and sharps used on patients or in laboratories that work with human blood or body fluids and tissues to help reduce the incidence of needlesticks or sharps exposures. They are engineered to provide a safer means of use by providing either a sheathing or push-button mechanism to cover a used sharp. OSHA requires that safer sharps devices be evaluated and used wherever work with human material occurs. Sometimes, however, they cannot be used for specific procedures for clinical reasons (ex. the needle size is inappropriate and the correct needle size does not come in a safety version). These situations must be reported to the Biological Safety Office (684-8822) to be recorded in the Duke University Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Program.
