WHO Recommends Switching to Single-Use Syringes by 2020
WHO Recommends Switching to Single-Use Syringes by 2020 – According to the World Health Organization, single-use syringes can help prevent the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis.
Normal syringes are cheaper and can be reused multiple times after being sterilized, but when not sterilized properly, the contaminated needles can lead to more infections. According to a WHO-sponsored study, in 2010, re-used needles accounted for 1.7 million new hepatitis B cases, 315 000 with hepatitis C virus and as many as 33 800 with HIV, all through an unsafe injection. In the US, there are regulations to prevent reusing syringes but there isn’t full compliance, World Health Organization officials said.
In some cases, healthcare workers throw away the needles but use the barrel itself which stores the medicine, and according to injection safety experts, the barrel could be contaminated because it had contact with the patient. Smart syringes can prevent reuse by blocking the plunger from being pulled back after an injection or by retracting the needle so it can’t be used again. The smart syringes would also prevent needle injuries among healthcare workers.
WHO released guidance on Monday to help healthcare workers use mart syringes properly.
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