FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Thursday, May 20, 1999 Cheryl Kelly at 202/429-1130 Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on National Needlestick Legislation Washington, DC -- “With today’s introduction of national legislation aimed at reducing needlestick injuries in the workplace, millions of American health care workers are one step closer to a safer work environment. As the nation’s largest public employee and health care workers union, AFSCME applauds Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Marge Roukema (R-NJ) for introducing the Health Care Worker Needlestick and Sharps Injury Prevention Act. “The Health Care Worker Needlestick and Sharps Injury Prevention Act will require the use of safety-engineered needles and sharps in the health care arena in an effort to protect health care workers from life-threatening injuries. For far too long, health care workers have faced serious danger from infectious diseases caused by needlestick and sharps injuries on the job. At least 20 different bloodborne pathogens are transmitted by needlesticks, including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 occupational needlestick injuries each year and of those injured, more than 1,000 contract serious diseases, including 40 to 50 who contract HIV. “Working in an emergency room, hospital or clinic is like living a game of Russian Roulette. Each year, one health care worker in seven suffers a needlestick injury. And each year, thousands will wait in agony for weeks or months to learn whether an accident -- which could have been prevented -- will cost them their health or their life. “In addition to the human cost of unsafe needles and sharps, there is also a financial cost. Testing and prophylactic drug regimens for those who have been injured by a contaminated needle can cost thousands of dollars. The cost of treating one worker who develops AIDS averages $25,000 per year. Liver transplants for Hepatitis C patients can cost as much as $750,000. “The need for a national standard is demonstrated by the fact that legislation has been introduced in nearly 20 states this year. AFSCME urges members of the U.S. House of Representatives to follow the lead of these states and co-sponsor the Health Care Worker Needlestick and Sharps Injury Prevention Act.” # # # American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO 1625 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-5687 Telephone (202) 429-1130 Fax (202) 429-1120