Women's Caucus Dear Colleague

Dear Colleague from the Women's Caucus

WOMEN AND NEEDLESTICK INJURIES

September 27, 1999

Dear Colleague:

As members of the Congressional Women's Caucus, we are writing to urge your support of HR 1899, The Health Care Worker Needlestick Prevention Act.

An estimated 600,000 to one million needlestick injuries occur in the workplace each year, exposing health care workers to a variety of bloodborne diseases, or pathogens, including hepatitis B and C and HIV. Among those who sustain a needlestick injury each year, it is estimated that more than 1,000 contract a serious disease, including as many as 40 who contract HIV.

WOMEN BEAR THE MOST INJURIES

Women are at particular risk because they predominate the field of nursing, the occupational category which suffers the largest share of injuries.

Ninety-five percent of registered and licensed practical nurses are women and nurses sustain 46%, or nearly half, of all needlestick injuries, according to the University of Virginia's International Health Care Worker Safety Center.

The rate of injury for nurses is three times greater than the next most affected occupational category. Physicians suffer the next most frequent exposure sustaining 15% of all needlestick injuries.

The remaining injuries are spread among several other categories in which workers come into contact with contaminated devices. Even housekeepers and laundry workers are at risk because they occasionally are stuck by stray needles left in inappropriate trash receptacles or bed sheets.

THE PERSONAL TOLL OF A NEEDLESTICK INJURY

For any health care worker, exposure to hepatitis or HIV through a needlestick injury means an agonizing wait of months, even a year, to find out whether a disease has been transmitted. In addition to the emotional distress, there are other consequences of exposure.

Workers must endure the side effects of potent drugs taken in order to reduce the chance of submission

An injury may force a delay in plans for a pregnancy

If the injury occurs during a pregnancy, there is a risk of transmitting the disease to the baby. If the exposure occurs after giving birth, a mother may be forced to give up breast feeding in order to prevent the transmission of the disease to her child.
INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED

With the technology that is available today, the vast majority of needlestick injuries are preventable. Nurses and others who care for the sick do not have to put their own lives on the line the means to protect them are readily available.

So far HR 1899 has gained the support of 134 bipartisan members of Congress. If you would like to add your name as a cosponsor, or you have any questions about the bill, please call Elizabeth Robbins with Rep. Roukema at 5-4465.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Maloney, MC

Sue Kelly, MC

Marge Roukema, MC

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