AEGiS-PRn: Needle Destruction Units Authorized for Use in California; Hypodermic Needle Destruction Unit to be Marketed by Remel Inc. Regulations to Ensure Healthcare Workers Access to Advanced Technology

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Needle Destruction Units Authorized for Use in California; Hypodermic Needle Destruction Unit to be Marketed by Remel Inc. Regulations to Ensure Healthcare Workers Access to Advanced Technology

PRNewswire - October 14, 1999

ATLANTA, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Biomedical Disposal, Inc. (Biomed) of Norcross received formal notification from California's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) that use of advanced technology needle destruction units was "authorized and encouraged" as a method of compliance to that state's bloodborne pathogen regulations, which were fully implemented on August 1. The Board made this clarification in response to concerns regarding the introduction and development of new technologies that have demonstrated the capacity to reduce the risk of needlestick injury

"We applaud Cal/OSHA's progressive stance, preferring innovation and invention to the status quo, which should insure a steady flow of creative, cost-effective approaches designed to address this important public health issue," said Michael W. Smith, C.E.O. and president of Biomed. "Also, the emphasis on work practice controls such as education and training, evaluation procedures, record keeping, and so forth, should be lauded."

A growing awareness of the dangers of HIV, hepatitis and other bloodborne pathogens that can be spread by accidental needlestick injury led ultimately to enactment of these new regulations in California, as well as a flurry of legislative activity at the federal level and in other states. By various estimates, up to 1 million accidental needlesticks are suffered by healthcare workers every year in the United States.

Formed in 1995 to identify and decrease areas of risk in the health care industry, Biomedical Disposal, Inc., specializes in advanced, cost-effective technology products and services. Its products to reduce the potential of accidental needlesticks include NICSX(TM), a behavior-based performance management system, and Sharpx(TM), an advanced technology needle destruction unit. In the United States, Biomed's products are marketed through a series of distributors including Remel Inc., a subsidiary of Sybron International Corporation (NYSE: SYB). Additional information about Biomed can be obtained at http://www.biodisposal.com .

SOURCE Biomedical Disposal, Inc.

CONTACT: David L. Perry of Biomedical Disposal, Inc, 770-300-9595, or dlperry@biodisposal.com /

Web Site: /http://www.biodisposal.com /
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