BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is now increasing focusing on the safe blood collection practices. Paramedical workers are subject to the largest number of blood exposures. Percutaneous injury from blood-filled needles is the primary route through which healthcare workers are exposed to bloodborne pathogens and potentially fatal diseases, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which pose serious health and safety risks to healthcare workers.
The company which organized a seminar at New Delhi recently stated that while developing a strong laboratory system is crucial to supporting the prevention, treatment of infections diseases, it is also critical to protect healthcare workers from exposure to blood-borne pathogens through accidental needlestick injuries (NSIs).
“As part of our efforts to strengthen laboratory systems, BD works with labs to reduce diagnostic errors. However, we believe that it is also of vital importance to help protect healthcare workers who are at risk of contracting life threatening infections via NSIs during the process of blood collection. BD is committed to advancing the cause of healthcare worker safety and continues to actively support hospitals’ efforts to train and educate their employees in this domain,” said Dr Sanjay Sarin, director, BD Diagnostics - Preanalytical Systems - India.
At a seminar organized by BD Dr Arvind Lal, chairman and managing director, Dr Lal PathLabs, said, “The safety of healthcare workers should be an integral part and priority of any organization. We all need to create systems in our organizations that help ensure the safety of our employees.”
Dr Ana Stankovic, vice president, Medical and Scientific Affairs and Clinical Operations, BD Diagnostics - Preanalytical Systems said, “Extensive experience accumulated for the past 12 years across the world clearly shows that NSIs are radically reduced once safety devices are adopted. It is very important that healthcare workers everywhere have the same opportunity to do their jobs in the safest environment possible by using blood collection devices with safety features.”
To strengthen healthcare systems, BD provides training for laboratory staff and clinicians who can then help educate other healthcare workers at their facilities. The company also conducts Pre-analytical Audits across laboratories and delivers specific modules that allow laboratory managers to improve their processes. Its phlebotomy training programs are certified by the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI). Worldwide, BD has conducted Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) training programs in more than 60 countries, reaching nearly 5,600 participants in 623 sessions since August 2004.