2000 Resolution - 004

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Subject: Continuation of the "Safe Needles Save Lives" Campaign
Introduced by: UAN Executive Council
Action: Adopted June 22, 2000

WHEREAS, Even though safer needle devices exist, OSHA is now requiring their use and more health care facilities are implementing them, nurses continue to experience needlestick and sharp injuries from infected sources and constitute a majority of the 800,000 to 1 million exposures reported per year, and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is more prevalent among the hospitalized population than ever was anticipated, creating opportunities for infection by a pathogen with high morbidity. There is no vaccine on the horizon and there is no method of prophylaxis after a needlestick exposure occurs, and

WHEREAS, There is great momentum in the public and among elected representatives to protect nurses in this arena. State legislation to mandate the use of safer devices has passed in 12 states and the proposed federal legislation has been well-received, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the UAN continue support of ANA’s Safe Needles Save Lives Campaign, which includes aggressive efforts to educate frontline nurses about the safer devices available and how to evaluate them, and be it further

RESOLVED, That the UAN support a coordinated and targeted approach to the introduction of additional safer device legislation which will protect all CMA nurse members, and be it further

RESOLVED, That local unions will work with their CMAs and UAN to file OSHA complaints where safer needle devices have not been successfully implemented in OSHA-covered institutions.