AANA Condemns Unsafe Injection Practices( Nurse anesthetists association en...),Health

Nurse anesthetists association entreats other healthcare professionals to work together to solve infection control problems that put patients at risk

PARK RIDGE, Ill., March 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --- In a decisive response to recent incidents in Nevada and New York in which patients were infected with hepatitis C allegedly through the reuse of needles and syringes, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) today called on healthcare professionals across the nation to exercise the utmost care and vigilance when performing or observing injections on patients.

"It is astounding that in this day and age there are nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals who still risk using needles and syringes on more than one patient, or know of such activities and don't report them," said Wanda Wilson, CRNA, PhD, president of the 37,000 member AANA. "Published standards and guidelines dictate that single-use and disposal of these products is the best way to ensure patient safety. Patient safety is our primary focus --- not cost savings, time savings, or any other factor."

Wilson added that while the AANA believes the vast majority of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals who give injections practice in a safe manner according to established drug-handling and administration guidelines, recent hepatitis C outbreaks at an endoscopy center in Las Vegas, Nev., and a pain management facility in Long Island, N.Y., leave no doubt that unsafe practices are still occurring and can cause great harm to patients.

"My heart goes out to the patients in Las Vegas and Long Island who contracted hepatitis, and I fervently hope that testing doesn't reveal additional patients who might have been infected at these facilities," Wilson said.

"These types of incidents are completely unacceptable, and the AANA is determined to help uncover the r
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