There are over 5.6 million workers in the nation's health care industry today. Each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these workers sustain hundreds of thousands of needlestick injuries, risking exposure to infection with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and other life-threatening diseases.

"Nurses are on the front line of health care delivery daily, and are most likely to sustain a needlestick injury," said BD President and CEO Ed Ludwig. "BD applauds ANA's drive to educate and promote a safer environment for caregivers and their patients."

The grant arrives on the heels of a compliance directive published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to help ensure that health care workers have access to safety-engineered sharps devices that can reduce the risk of injury and infection. Using the new OSHA directive as a platform, ANA will offer a training program to equip hospital staff with the knowledge and skills they need to facilitate safety device programs in their own workplace. The three-part program will consist of a series of informational seminars, hands-on workshops and a nationally broadcast satellite teleconference.

"We are delighted with BD's donation and unflagging support for our initiative," stated ANA President Mary Foley, MS, RN. "This grant makes it possible for us to help health care workers protect themselves and others from needlestick injuries."

A pioneer in the development of safety products designed to protect health care workers, BD has long been dedicated to reducing sharps injuries. The education of institutions and the health care workers at risk is at the heart of BD's mission.

"BD is proud to sponsor the ANA's efforts," said Ludwig. "This is a time of unprecedented, rapid change as health care institutions commit to new advanced protection technologies thanks to the united efforts of hospitals, caregivers, unions, manufacturers, advocates and legislators to help protect our nation's valued health care workforce."

About BD
BD is a medical technology company that manufactures and sells a broad range of supplies, devices and systems for use by health care professionals, medical research institutions, industry and the general public. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, BD reported total revenues of $3.4 billion and net income of $276 million.