European needlestick legislation on the cards

The European Union is consulting on legislation to ensure healthcare workers have more safeguards against the potential for needlestick injuries. It is suggested that the proposed legislation will include a number of measures, which include…

• The use of instruments – such as syringes and needles – with safety devices
• The use of safe and effective systems to minimise the use of cannulae
• The modification of work practices which pose a risk of needle injury in order to make them safer
• A complete end to the recapping of needles

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