Europe gets serious about minimizing needlestick injuries

Abstract

More than one million needlestick injuries are suffered in Europe each year. New legislation was recently passed by the EU to protect Europe's healthcare workers from potentially fatal blood-borne infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, resulting from injuries with used needles. Here, John Bowis, Health First Europe (HFE) Honorary President and former UK Minister of Health and MEP, comments on the new directive and its significance to paramedic practice.