Ideas That Work: Needlestick Prevention

Our nurses and techs used to crawl around on their hands and knees in search of a suture needle missing from the final count. Not only were we at risk of a needlestick, but these tiny needles were extremely difficult to find. Now we stand upright when we search for a missing needle, rolling a magnetic sweeper across the OR floor to find fallen needles. When the sweeper picks up a needle (or a blade or any other sharp), we use tape to remove it to guard against getting stuck. You can buy a magnetic needle finder from a surgical vendor for about $200, or you can pick one up at your local home improvement store — builders, mechanics and woodworkers use the sweepers to pick up nails and screws off of workshop floors.

Stacie Lovellette, CST
Parkview Surgery One
Fort Wayne, Ind.
[email protected]