Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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The San Francisco Examiner; April 16, 1998
Lisa M. Krieger, Examiner Medical Writer
"The lives of many thousands of nurses, physicians and others have been shattered by infection with HIV and hepatitis," nurse Ellen Dayton said Wednesday in a statement.
"There can be no doubt that most of those needle sticks would have been prevented if the people who supply us with billions of needles . . . were as concerned for our safety as we are concerned for those we care for," charged Dayton, who was too sick with HIV and Hepatitis C to attend the rally. Dayton became infected while drawing blood at a public substance abuse clinic.
Rally organizers, members of the Service Employees International Union, promoted legislation introduced by Supervisor Tom Ammiano three weeks ago that would require any facility getting money from The City to use safe medical devices.
On the federal level, legislation was introduced by Rep. Pete Stark, D-Hayward, last fall that would require all hospitals that get Medicare money to use safe needles.
Health care workers report more than 800,000 needle stick accidents each year. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 52 actual and 111 possible cases of HIV transmission from needle sticks.
"Safe needle" activists say that improved devices, which have been on the market for several years, would reduce the incidence of needle stick infection by 80 to 90 percent. But the devices have been ignored by hospital administrators because of their expense, the activists say.
San Francisco health officials say all city-run hospitals and clinics already have well-established programs to reduce the risk of needle stick injury and blood exchange.
These programs have resulted in a 50 percent decrease in the number of needle stick accidents over the past eight years, according to S.F. General spokesperson Corinna Kaarlela.
"At all sites, it is a priority that safety device needles are provided and that they are available regardless of cost," said Kaarlela. "Sites are also equipped with special containers to ensure safe disposal of needles and other sharp objects after use."
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