Shielded safety syringes.

To the Editor: The results of the study, “Impact of a Shielded Safety Syringe on Needlestick Injuries Among Healthcare Workers,” in the June 1992 issue (1992;13:349353) are encouraging. Technology that keeps the worker’s hands behind the needle at all times and covers the needle after use should significantly lower the rate of needlestick injuries. However, we noted the following inconsistencies between the data reported in the Study Phase column of Table 1 and 2: Table 1 lists the number of needlesticks from prefilled cartridge, injection syringes as 11 during the study phase. However, in Table 2 the total number of needlesticks from this device at the three hospital sites is zero. During the study phase, Table 1 reports 28 total injuries from IV/IV piggyback devices while the total number in Table 2 is 29. Table 1 records 5 lancet injuries during the study phase; the corresponding total number of lancet injuries is 4 in Table 2. The Study Phase Column of Table 1 lists 36 injuries with miscellaneous syringes, needles, and catheters. The same category total in Table 2 is 37. Accurate information is essential to determine the impact of new technology on healthcare worker protection. This study is a step forward in our understanding of one potentially important needle Letters to the Editor