The revision to the blood borne pathogens standard includes modification of definitions relating to engineering controls. Two terms have been added to the standard, while the description of an existing term has been amended.
Engineering Controls
Engineering Controls include all control measures that isolate or remove a hazard from the workplace, such as sharps disposal containers and self-sheathing needles. The original blood borne pathogens standard was not specific regarding the applicability of various engineering controls (other than the above examples) in the healthcare setting. The revision now specifies that "safer medical devices, such as sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems" constitute an effective engineering control, and must be used where feasible.
Sharps with Engineered Sharps Injury Protections
This is a new term which includes non-needle sharps or needle devices containing built-in safety features that are used for collecting fluids or administering medications or other fluids, or other procedures involving the risk of sharps injury. This description covers a broad array of devices, including:
- syringes with a sliding sheath that shields the attached needle after use
- needles that retract into a syringe after use
- shielded or retracting catheters
- intravenous medication (IV) delivery systems that use a catheter port with a needle housed in a protective covering.
Needleless Systems
This is a new term defined as devices which provide an alternative to needles for various procedures to reduce the risk of injury involving contaminated sharps. Examples include:
- IV medication systems which administer medication or fluids through a catheter port using non-needle connections; and
- jet injection systems which deliver liquid medication beneath the skin or through a muscle.
