RR914 - An evaluation of the efficacy of safer sharps devices: Systematic review

Sharps-related injuries carry the risk of serious blood borne infection. A systematic review was undertaken to consider the evidence related to safer sharps devices and their impact on needlestick injury reduction within the healthcare sector. The review sought to determine whether: n the use of safer sharps devices could reduce the incidence of sharps injury; n dedicated educational / training initiatives could reduce the incidence of sharps injuries; n safer sharps devices were accepted by the hospital personnel asked to use them; and n safer sharps devices had any proven impact on patient care outcomes. The quality and quantity of evidence was limited, mainly due to study designs used by publishing authors. Despite this, there was sufficient published evidence to consider the use of safer sharps devices to reduce the incidence of sharps injuries amongst UK healthcare workers. Studies showed that when educational programmes were implemented alongside a safer sharps device, lower rates of sharps injuries were sustained for longer. However, the benefit attributable to education alone could not be isolated from the impact of the introduction of the safer sharps device. Few studies have investigated user acceptability of safer sharps devices and patient outcomes, and more studies are required to assess these areas with greater certainty. This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view the licence visit Some images and illustrations may not be owned by the Crown so cannot be reproduced without permission of the copyright owner. Enquiries should be sent to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are grateful to the external group of assessors for their contribution and support of this systematic review. Also thank you to the Health and Safety Executive and Health and Safety Laboratory Information Services for their support in undertaking literature searches and for sourcing papers. iii MAIN MESSAGES This systematic review has considered the evidence related to safer sharps devices and their impact on needlestick injury reduction. The United States of America introduced legislation in 2000 to reduce sharps related injuries, and the European Union introduced a Directive in 2010 with similar aims. However, sharps related injuries persist within …