BUSINESS WIRE; July 14, 1998
In response to a series on accidental needlesticks in the San Francisco Chronicle, California OSHA has assembled a cross section of medical, regulatory, industry, and academic representatives to serve as advisors to address changes in the "Bloodborne Pathogen Standard." Since the standard's publication in 1991, significant new research documenting the effectiveness and need for safer needles in high-risk procedures such as phlebotomy and vein access has emerged.
The Advisory committee has proposed tough new language that would strengthen the requirements for the use of safer needles. "These changes will have tremendous impact nationwide," said Bill Borwegen, health and safety director of the Service Employees International Union. "This will spur federal OSHA to take this matter (of accidental needlesticks) much more seriously. This could be a lifesaver for small, more technologically innovative needle makers with excellent safety products," he added.
"The new regulation would require the use of safer needles for procedures that expose workers to blood-filled needles. The burden would shift to the employer to prove a safety needle device is not more protective than a conventional needle, or that it causes adverse effects on patient care," said Tom Sutton, executive vice president for marketing and administration at Bio-Plexus. "If passed, the new regulations would result in a fundamental change to the healthcare environment. Safety devices would become the requirement, not the option," Sutton noted.
Bio-Plexus holds U.S. and international patents on safety medical devices marketed under the Punctur-Guard name. These devices are designed to reduce the incidence of accidental needlesticks among healthcare workers. In a Centers for Disease Control study, Punctur-Guard Blood Collection Needles were found to reduce the rate of accidental needlesticks by 76%, the highest rate of any device studied. Accidental needlesticks number more than 950,000 per year in the United States and can result in the transmission of deadly diseases including HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
Note: This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. The actual results may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statement.
CONTACT: Bio-Plexus, Inc. Carol Coburn, 860/870-6112, extension 317 Bio.plexus@snet.net
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