An experimental method for detecting blood splatter from retractable phlebotomy and intravascular devices - 12/08/11
, Shawn Applegarth, MSME a, b, Miloni Shroff, MBBS, MPH a
Address correspondence to Donna Haiduven, PhD, RN, CIC, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612-3805.Abstract |
Background |
This study was designed to evaluate the safety of retractable intravascular devices in terms of their potential to produce blood splatter. A method for measuring this blood splatter designed by the research team was used to evaluate 3 specific intravascular devices.
Methods |
Scientific filters were positioned around the retraction mechanisms of the devices and weighed with an analytical scale, both before and after activation, in a simulated vein containing mock venous blood. The difference in filter mass was used as the primary unit of analysis to detect blood splatter. In addition, the filters were visually inspected for the presence or absence of blood.
Results |
A paired t-test revealed significant differences in the prefilter and postfilter groups for 2 of the 3 devices tested (P < .0001). In addition, visible blood was detected on 23% to 40% of the scientific filters for 2 of the devices.
Conclusions |
Our findings indicate a potential for bloodborne pathogen exposure with the use of intravascular devices with a retractable mechanism. This experiment may serve as a model in the design and implementation of future sharps device evaluation protocols to validate the threat of bloodborne pathogen exposure.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Plan
| Conflicts of interest: None to report. |
Vol 37 - N° 2
P. 127-130 - mars 2009 Retour au numéro
Article précédent
- Cluster of bloodstream infections caused by KPC-2 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Manhattan
- Abhijeet S. Nadkarni, Tjark Schliep, Lamia Khan, Cosmina B. Zeana
- Use of hands-free technique among operating room nurses in the Republic of Korea
- Ihn Sook Jeong, Sunmi Park
Bienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?