Inspiration

17th September is also known as “World Patient Safety Day”

World Patient Safety Day 2023 is dedicated to the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety” and the slogan “Elevate the voice of patients!” Nipro wishes to initiate this discussion, shedding light on the protection of both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

A SKILL TO BE DEVELOPED

Patient safety is essential for providing high-quality healthcare services, but it is a skill that needs honing. As healthcare facilities have become more complex, patient safety has evolved as a discipline. The rise in accidental harm to patients and HCPs, often due to errors, has prompted efforts to protect and reduce the risks and errors within healthcare settings.

Central to patient safety is PREVENTION:

• Awareness: Includes risk assessment, continuous training and evaluations, and hands-on clinical education.
• Systems: Encompasses policies, procedures, audits, and leadership support.
• Products: Involves aseptic kits, safety devices, and built-in safety mechanisms.

 
Nipro specifically wants to address the importance of the last point.

GETTING TO THE HEART OF PATIENT SAFETY

Needlestick injuries (NSIs), where individuals are inadvertently pierced by needles or other sharp objects, can lead to exposure to blood or other bodily fluids. This is a grave matter, as unsafe injection practices and accidental punctures can transmit infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B or C, posing a direct threat to patients, HCPs, and waste management professionals, among others. In essence, anyone exposed to the needle is at risk, from its administration to its disposal.

Each year, patients and HCPs suffer from needlestick and sharps injuries, with predictions that 1 in 10 healthcare professionals will be exposed to bloodborne pathogens in the coming year. The World Health Organization estimates that 3 out of 35 million HCPs worldwide face exposure to bloodborne pathogens each year due to these needlestick injuries.

In fact, NSIs are responsible for a significant burden of harm, estimated at 9.2 million years of life lost to disability and death worldwide, referred to as Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

Furthermore, the CDC estimates that 5.6 million workers in the healthcare industry and related fields are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Needlestick injuries during routine occupational duties in 2010 accounted for roughly 40% of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, as well as 4.4% of HIV infections in healthcare workers.

The repercussions of an NSI are far-reaching:

• Biological consequences
• Psychological impact
• Documentation and potential investigations
• Follow-up medical examinations
• Time expended
• Additional costs

 
All of these ultimately place added pressure and stress on healthcare professionals and facilities.

WITH NIPRO, SAFETY COMES FIRST

While Nipro maintains an ongoing commitment to enhancing patient care year-round, this serves as an ideal opportunity to emphasize the importance of ensuring treatment safety and effectiveness for everyone, every day.

To ensure optimal treatment and instill confidence in end-users as HCPs care for patients daily, Nipro’s SafeTouch® line, featuring an irreversible safety mechanism, are designed to offer three critical benefits:

• Maximizing user safety
• Minimizing patient discomfort
• Enhancing ease of use

NIPRO’S PLEDGE AS YOUR BRIDGE BETWEEN PATIENT AND CARE

Whether you’re a dialysis nurse, waste management professional, hospital administrator, or procurement manager, rest assured that Nipro can provide you with the tools to reduce risks and prioritize safety for everyone involved.