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1 CE HOURAdministrative Skills

Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act

Needlestick Prevention Act 
 
Course ID: 586-4305-26 
CE length: 1 hour 
Presenter: Nichelle Volker RMA 
 
Objective: 
  1. Explain the purpose and key requirements of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.
  2. Identify common causes of needlestick injuries in phlebotomy practice.
  3. Recognize OSHA-required safety-engineered sharps and their functions.
  4. Demonstrate safe handling, activation, and disposal of safety needles.
  5. Report exposures or device failures according to OSHA and facility protocols.


 
Key Terms:
 
  • Engineering controls
  • EPINet
  • ECP
  • SED
  • Sharps
  • Needlestick Injury
  • Work-Practice Controls


 
Outline:
 
  • Introduction
    • Why the act was needed
    • NSPA in Action
    • OSHA BBP Standard
    • Implementation of the law into new technologies 
  • Causes of Needlestick Injuries
    • Common causes
    • Device and patient related factors
    • Most vulnerable moments
  • Safer Devices and engineering controls
    • Engineering controls defines
    • Types of safety needles
    • Scenario: Needleless system helps prevent injury
    • OSHA expectations for device selection
  • Advancements in safer devices
    • Impact of the Ace on innovation
    • Industry innovation
    • Modern advancements
    • Smart safety technologies
    • Future trends
  • Reporting, Rights and OSHA protocols
    • First steps after exposure
    • Documentation
    • Device failure trends
    • Employer responsibilities
    • Why reporting is important
    • Enforcement
    • Quick reference exposure checklist


 
References:
 
  1. Kinshella, A. L. (2025). The Foundations Of Modern Phlebotomy (1st edition). Intelvio, LLC.
  2.  (2021, October 9). Factors associated with needlestick injuries among healthcare workers: Implications for prevention. National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved November 13, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8502299/
  3.  (2001, January 18). Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Needlestick and Other Sharps Injuries. OSHA. Retrieved November 13, 2025, from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/federalregister/2001-01-18#
  4.  (n.d.). Safe Needles Save Lives- Fact Sheet. American Nurse Association. Retrieved November 13, 2025, from https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/docs/ana/snsl-fact-sheet_final110110.pdf
  5.  (2023, May 1). Needlestick. National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493147/?utm
  6.  (1999, November 1). Preventing Needlestick Injuries in Health Care Settings. CDC. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2000-108/default.html 
  7.  OSHA. (2003, February 20). Interpretation of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act and engineering control requirements. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2003-02-20
  8.  (n.d.). Understanding the Different Types of Safety Needles and Syringes. Pristine Medical. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://us.pristine-medical.com/blogs/resources/understanding-the-different-types-of-safety-needles-and-syringes
  9. (n.d.). Issues in Understanding the Impact of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act on Hospital Sharps Injuries. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/abs/issues-in-understanding-the-impact-of-the-needlestick-safety-and-prevention-act-on-hospital-sharps-injuries/9F386241DCFDB73FE2856CF09C9BD35A?
  10.  (n.d.). Annual Evaluation of Safety Needles. MedSafe. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://medsafe.com/osha-compliance/annual-evaluation-of-safety-needles/
  11.  (n.d.). Needlestick/ Sharps Safety and Prevention. Northern Arizona University. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://in.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/139/2020/02/Needlestick-Safety-and-Prevention-Program.pdf
  12.  Cardinal Health. Safety needles designed to protect – Monoject Hypodermic Safety Needles. Cardinal Health. https://www.cardinalhealth.com/content/dam/corp/web/documents/literature/cardinal-health-monoject-hypodermic-safety-needle.pdf
  13.  (n.d.). How Smart Technology is Revolutionizing Sharps Disposal in Healthcare. NELO. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://get-nelo.com/2025/01/26/how-smart-technology-is-revolutionizing-sharps-disposal-in-healthcare/?
  14.  (n.d.). Needlestick Injuries Reduced Through Use of Safety Feature-Enhanced Needle Disposal Device. Infection Control Today. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/needlestick-injuries-reduced-through-use-safety-feature-enhanced-needle-disposal?
  15.  OSHA — Bloodborne Pathogens Standard: Sharps Injury Log Requirements, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904/1904.8

Accreditation Numbers

  • 586-4305-26