World Hepatitis Day is recognized every July 28th to remember Dr. Baruch Blumberg (1925–2011), who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed the first hepatitis B vaccine. This is the perfect time to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, which impacts more than 354 million people worldwide. It is also an opportunity to examine how healthcare providers are at risk of developing hepatitis after a needlestick injury. Continue reading to learn more about hepatitis infection and how safer needle devices can help prevent spread of the disease. 

What is Hepatitis? 

In short, hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and it can be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, medications, or viruses. There are five classifications of viral hepatitis, and all of them can cause both short-term and lasting liver disease. Hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated food and water, especially in areas with poor sanitation where people cannot wash their hands after using the bathroom. In contrast, Hepatitis B, C and D are transmitted through sexual contact or exposure to infected blood. These infections pose the greatest risk to healthcare workers as they can be acquired through needlestick injuries. This is a primary reason why safer needle devices were developed and are now required in healthcare facilities across the U.S. and Europe. While healthcare workers are required to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, no vaccine is available for hepatitis C. 

Health Risks Associated with Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is considered a silent epidemic because many people do not have any symptoms of infection and they unknowingly spread the virus to others. Sometimes hepatitis C is a short-term illness but it becomes a long-term, chronic infection for more than half of people who become infected. Chronic hepatitis C increases the risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis, a condition that permanently scars the liver. Thankfully, new medicines for hepatitis C are able to cure the infection before permanent liver damage occurs. For the majority of people, this treatment reduces the likelihood that a liver transplant will be needed in the future. 

How Safer Needle Devices Prevent Needlestick Injuries

Safer needle devices have advanced designs to help protect healthcare workers from needlestick injuries and exposure to hepatitis B and C. Typically, either a hard plastic sheath covers the needle after it is used or the needle retracts back into the syringe. Whichever method is used, users are protected from injury until the needle is safely disposed of in the sharps container. Safer needle options are now available for all types of injection, infusion and venipuncture procedures. As an example, BD Vacutainer sets have sliding Safety-Lok or hinged Eclipse mechanisms that are moved into place to cover the needle after blood is collected for lab testing. In contrast to these active safety mechanisms, passive safety mechanisms engage automatically without having to be activated by the provider. For instance, the needles in Dynarex safety lancets instantly retract automatically once the skin is pierced. Similarly, B. Braun Introcan safety IV catheters have a passive safety shield design that covers the needle as it is withdrawn from the catheter. 

Other Ways to Prevent Needlestick Injuries

While the consistent use of safer needle devices is the single most effective method to prevent accidental needlesticks, other approaches are also helpful. For instance, healthcare providers should always use blunt fill needles to withdraw medications from vials and IV sets with needle-free access ports like Baxter Clearlink administration sets. Wearing gloves also reduces the risk of needlestick injuries by making clinicians more aware of the need for caution with all types of sharps. Finally, needles must always be placed in appropriate sharps disposal containers immediately after they are used. These containers must be puncture-resistant and kept within easy reach when clinicians are providing care. Environmental services staff must make sure to replace sharps containers when they are ¾ full to prevent needles from sticking up through the opening.

Key takeaway

The best way to recognize World Hepatitis Day is to raise awareness of the disease and join the effort to prevent its spread. Towards this end, safer needle devices and puncture-resistant sharps containers are essential tools to prevent needlestick injuries and transmission of hepatitis C. The DiaMedical USA team is ready to help facilities and training programs balance cost and functionality in order to find the best supplies for infusion and injection. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com.