Safe Sharp Devices

Safe sharp devices consist of needleless systems and sharps with engineered sharps injury protection that decreases the danger of accidental needle sticks. Safe sharps devices must be utilized whenever feasible. Needleless systems provide an alternative to needles for various procedures to reduce the risk of injury involving contaminated sharps.

Examples:

  • IV Systems that administer medication or fluid through a catheter port using non-needle connections
  • Jet injection systems that deliver liquid medication beneath the skin or through a muscle.

    Sharps with engineered sharps injury protection include non-needle sharps and needle devices containing built-in safety features that are used for collecting fluids, administering medications or other fluids, or other procedures involving the risk of sharps injury. There are many types of devices in this category with new products continually being introduced.

    Examples of available items include:

  • Syringes with a sliding sheath that shields the attached needle after use
  • Needles that retract into the syringe after use
  • Shielded or retracting catheters
  • IV delivery systems that use a catheter port with a needle housed in a protective covering
  • Scalpels with retracting blades into handle or a sliding sheath that shields the blade after use.