Many healthcare practices have changed and advanced throughout the years, but few are as evident as the implementation of universal precautions. For instance, gloves are worn for nearly all care and treatment rather than just during surgical procedures as they were in the past. Clinicians now also engage the safety mechanisms on needles immediately after injections before placing them in red sharps containers. These precautions have been extremely effective through the years at mitigating risk, as only 58 cases of confirmed occupational HIV transmission to healthcare providers have been reported in the United States (1). In honor of December being HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, our blog below discusses the common misconceptions surrounding the topic, as well as the various methods to reduce risk of exposure and transmission to healthcare workers. 

What is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS? 

There are many misconceptions regarding the topic of HIV and AIDS; most stemming from a lack of knowledge and awareness. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks helper CD4+ T-cells that coordinate the body’s immune response to foreign invaders and pathogens. Without treatment, CD4+ counts drop to dangerously low levels and patients develop life-threatening infections. At this stage, patients are diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, commonly known as AIDS. Today, most people in the United States with HIV do not develop AIDS due to antiviral medications’ ability to stop the progression of the infection in its early stages (2-4).  

How Antiviral Medications Protect Healthcare Workers

Until effective treatments were introduced in the late 1990’s, patients typically lived only a few years or even months after being diagnosed with AIDS. Today, modern antiviral medications have transformed HIV infection from a death sentence to a manageable condition with a similar life expectancy as someone who does not have the virus (5). In addition to effectively managing HIV, antiviral medication therapy also lowers healthcare providers’ risk of occupational exposure to HIV. This is attributed to patients being no longer contagious when their viral loads have been lowered to undetectable levels (2, 5). 

Helping Prevent Needlestick Injuries with Safer Needle Devices 

Even though the risk of HIV exposure has decreased significantly due to modern antiviral medications, healthcare providers still must use universal precautions to prevent needlestick injuries. Today, a wide variety of safer needle options with both active and passive mechanisms are available for all types of injection, infusion and venipuncture procedures. For example, Monoject blood collection sets have sliding guards that are moved into place to cover the needle after venipuncture. In contrast, Advantage safety lancets have needles that automatically retract into the device without any activation needed by the clinician. Of course, needles still must be placed in appropriate sharps disposal containers immediately after every use. These containers are required to be puncture-resistant and kept within reach whenever clinicians are providing care. To ensure these used needles do not stick out of the sharps container, Environmental Services staff must replace these containers when they are ¾ full. 

Key Takeaways

The most effective way to prevent needlestick injuries and reduce the risk of HIV exposure to healthcare providers is to ensure that safer needle devices are used consistently and correctly. The DiaMedical team is dedicated to helping facilities and training programs balance cost and functionality in order to protect their students and staff from needlestick injuries, while continuing to raise awareness around topics like HIV/AIDS. All types of safer needle devices, sharps disposal containers and PPE are kept in stock to ensure a simple ordering experience. For more information on our products, contact a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). HIV and occupational exposure. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/workplace/healthcareworkers.html 
2. Gilroy, S. (2021). HIV infection and AIDS. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/211316-overview 
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). What is HIV? Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/syndication-test.html 
4. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. What are HIV and AIDS? Retrieved from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids 

Vaillant, A., & Gulick, P. (2022). HIV disease current practice. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534860/