News and Updates

Cohen Cramer: No Win - No Fee Injury Specialists

Needlestick Injuries in the Health Sector

  • October 24, 2019
  • mmassen
  • Comments Off on Needlestick Injuries in the Health Sector

 

Needlestick Injuries in the Health Sector. A recent survey of 510 surgeons from across the UK, US Germany, Australia, Japan, and Sweden showed that 94% of practicing UK surgeons have either been personally affected by needlestick injury or have seen a colleague sustain such an injury.

The survey carried out on behalf of Molnlycke, a prominent medical solution company, provided a clear demonstration of the importance of high-quality surgical gloves when reducing exposure to blood-borne viruses and improving patient outcomes.

100,000 needlestick injuries occur across the NHS each year. While the survey shows that high-quality gloves can reduce the chance of exposure, this is of no benefit or assistance to those who suffer needlestick injuries as a result of the negligent disposal of sharps such as syringes, scalpels, cannulas, et cetera.

Claiming for needlestick injuries in the health sector

Mike Massen of Cohen Cramer solicitors has dealt with needlestick compensation claims for over 20 years and has seen the consequences of a failure to correctly dispose of surgical equipment. “Whilst the chances of transmission of a blood-borne virus such as hepatitis B and C or HIV are slim, the impact of the incident upon the individual can be devastating. Even at its lowest level, the individual will need to undergo blood test over a prolonged period and, if there has been a potential exposure to HIV, then the need for Post Exposure Prophylaxis treatment can lead to tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting, and discomfort for several weeks”.

While the provision of high-quality protective gloves is important in the operating theatre it should not be forgotten that appropriate training and reinforcement of such, in relation to the safe and effective disposal of sharps, is as important.

If you or a loved one has been affected as a result of a needlestick injury while working in the healthcare sector, you may be entitled to compensation. For further advice help and assistance please click this link.

Needlestick Injury Claims

Medical or clinical sharps yellow waste container

Tags:

Comments are closed.