ABSTRACT
The transmission of bloodborne viruses and other microbial pathogens to patients during routine health care procedures continues to occur because of the use of improper injection, infusion, medication vial, and point-of-care testing practices by health care personnel. These unsafe practices occur in various clinical settings and result in unacceptable and devastating events for patients. This document updates the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology 2010 position paper on safe injection, infusion, and medication vial practices in health care.
Subject(s)
Blood-Borne Pathogens , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Cross Infection/transmission , Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control , Infection Control/methods , Infusions, Intravenous/methods , Injections, Intravenous/methods , Health Facilities , Humans , Patient Safety , Practice Guidelines as TopicABSTRACT
Outbreaks involving the transmission of bloodborne pathogens or other microbial pathogens to patients in various types of health care settings due to unsafe injection, infusion, and medication vial practices are unacceptable. Each of the outbreaks could have been prevented by the use of proper aseptic technique in conjunction with basic infection prevention practices for handling parenteral medications, administration of injections, and procurement and sampling of blood. This document provides practice guidance for health care facilities on essential safe injection, infusion, and vial practices that should be consistently implemented in such settings.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/prevention & control , Drug Packaging , Infection Control/methods , Infusions, Intravenous/methods , Injections/methods , HumansABSTRACT
Health care-associated infections (HAIs) have received national attention because of recent news stories in print and on television. many states have mandatory reporting requirements for hospital HAI rates, and as of October 1, 2008, Medicare no longer will pay for certain HAI-related costs. Collaboration among health care providers, patients, government agencies, professional and consumer groups, and payers and improved adherence to infection-prevention protocols can dramatically reduce the incidence of HAIs.
