Surgery Team Drops Accidental Needle Sticks to 0

Plagued by accidental needle sticks, the Ontario Vineyard Ambulatory Surgery Team created a “Pass Free Zone,” which enables staff members to place syringes or scalpels on a surgical tray instead of handing them off to one another. To reinforce and encourage the new approach, team members used “countdown” posters to highlight injury-free days. They also posted informational fliers to remind staff of workplace safety goals and results. The team’s efforts created a source of pride that served to motivate staff even more than the fear of injury.

Here's What Worked

• Creating “Pass Free Zone,” to discourage staff from directly handing needles and other sharps to one another
• Educating staff on how to handle used needles, and employing face-to-face conversations
• Issuing fliers with the count of needle-stick, injury-free days posted throughout the medical center

What can your team do to decrease injuries in your area? What else could your team use to encourage each other?