Aesculap Academy, the educational arm of B.Braun, is conducting an Asia-Pacific workshop on safety in intravenous therapy. The course aims at creating an international view on the safety of the paramedical staff in healthcare service especially after increasing number of reports of blood borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis-B (HBV) and Hepatitis-C (HCV).

Needlestick injuries have high risk of transmitting such virus to the physician, nurses to housekeeping personnel and waste handlers.

Needlestick injuries can result in serious consequence like HIV to the individuals involved in the treatment and medical care of such patients. While studies emphasize the risks from three of the most publicized and common blood borne pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis-B (HBV), Hepatitis-C (HCV) healthcare workers are also at risk of contracting diseases such a syphilis and viral hemorrhagic fevers after exposure to needlestick injuries.

Various preventive measures such as the use of safety IV equipments have been adapted to prevent such accidental injuries in developed countries.

The workshop has been designed with the theme of ‘safety in intravenous therapy’ and will be held at Hotel Japee Palace Agra schedule to begin from October 30, 2003, and will be presided by Anne McDade from Australia. Anne Mcdade is a clinical nurse consultant with extensive background in oncology, hematology nursing and nurse education.

The two-day course aims to promote the use of and integration of intravenous therapy safety systems into health care facilities in the Asia Pacific countries. The workshop aims at facilitating the acquisition of information on intravenous devices with safety features, building upon existing knowledge, and enabling the target group to develop in their role as ‘safety’ advocates, within their healthcare organization.

The workshop will cover comprehensive topics such as the history of intravenous therapy and the emergence of intravenous safety equipment, the potential clinical implications and financial impact of needlestick injuries, and the features and benefits of using safety IV equipment. The selection and evaluation of IV safety equipment including defect monitoring will be discussed and strategies to assist in reducing needlestick injuries will be covered.