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The
U.S. Senate passes Needlestick Legislation that promises to protect
health care workers from deadly needlestick injuries that can spread
HIV and Hepatitis C
The
bill, which has already passed in the House of Representatives now
moves to the desk of President Clinton for signature into law, which
is expected within a week.
Shortly
after the bill's passage, U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy made a
personal phone call to former MNA President Karen Daley to inform
her of this great victory and to thank her for the role she played
in winning its passage. Daley helped bring the need for this
legislation to state and national attention through her courageous
efforts to talk about her own exposure to both HIV and Hepatitis
C following a preventable needlestick injury as an emergency room
nurse.
The
bill requires the use of newer, safe devices in health facilities
by strengthening OSHA's standard on bloodborne pathogens.
An
estimated 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injuries occur each year.
More than 1,000 of those workers contract hepatitis C or HIV.
Click
here to read more about this important issue.
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