New directive for sharps injuries

In 2009 the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association (HOSPEEM) and the European Public Services Union (EPSU) signed the framework agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in hospitals and health care.

The framework was implemented in 2010, becoming the Directive 2010/32/EU (The Sharps Directive). Other European countries have created new legislation to enforce the measures set out in the directive, the aim of which is to prevent sharps injuries and reduce blood-borne infections.

It is estimated that there are 100 000 sharps injuries in the UK each year and as many as 30 dangerous pathogens can be caught through a sharps injury. People who work with human blood and body fluids in combination with needles, syringes and other sharp instruments are known to be at increased risk of exposure to blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Treatment of these infections is not always successful and hence emphasis must remain on prevention.