Radiometer has launched safePICO70 arterial blood gas syringes to help health trusts eliminate needlestick injuries.
The launch comes just a matter of months before new EU regulations come into force as part of the requirements of directive 2010/32/EU for the prevention of sharp injuries within hospitals. It calls for increased operator safety when handling blood collection devices to be implemented by the 11 May 2013.
To ensure compliance, all blood gas samplers must incorporate safety-engineered protection mechanisms, and hospitals are required to implement procedures for the safe use and disposal of medical sharps with recapping of blood gas sampler needles no longer permitted.
Radiometer’s safePICO70 syringes have a built-in safety device that can be operated with one hand and allows the simple and safe removal of needles. Once a blood sample has been taken from the patient, the operator just slides the needle shield over the needle and locks it safely into place. The needle, safely contained within the shield, can then be detached and disposed of safely.