An Experimental Method for Detecting Blood Splatter from Retractable Phlebotomy and Intravascular Devices

Details

• Personal Author:
  Applegarth S ; Haiduven D ; Shroff M
• Description:
  Background: This study was designed to evaluate the safety of retractable intravascular devices in terms of their potential to produce blood splatter. A method for measuring this blood splatter designed by the research team was used to evaluate 3 specific intravascular devices. Methods: Scientific filters were positioned around the retraction mechanisms of the devices and weighed with an analytical scale, both before and after activation, in a simulated vein containing mock venous blood. The difference in filter mass was used as the primary unit of analysis to detect blood splatter. In addition, the filters were visually inspected for the presence or absence of blood. Results: A paired t-test revealed significant differences in the prefilter and postfilter groups for 2 of the 3 devices tested (P < .0001). In addition, visible blood was detected on 23% to 40% of the scientific filters for 2 of the devices. Conclusions: Our findings indicate a potential for bloodborne pathogen exposure with the use of intravascular devices with a retractable mechanism. This experiment may serve as a model in the design and implementation of future sharps device evaluation protocols to validate the threat of bloodborne pathogen exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Blood-Borne Pathogens Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Hematologic Diseases Hematologic Tests Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Bloodborne Pathogens Blood Samples Equipment Design Medical Equipment Sharps
• ISSN:
  0196-6553
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Florida ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  127-130
• Volume:
  37
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20053732
• Citation:
  Am J Infect Control 2009 Mar; 37(2):127-130
• Contact Point Address:
  Donna Haiduven, PhD, RN, CIC, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612-3805
• Email:
  dhaiduve@hsc.usf.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• Performing Organization:
  University of California, Berkeley
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Infection Control
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:505a3b312c49bb53bcce79775a5064efa964065175006a6755b78ce84d5690c1c52e782c5fe4856513cd4c811bfa0ef5528dce1dcec5e27367e2776d40f59f99
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216443/cdc_216443_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 124.01 KB ]