ANA Position Statements Re Needlesticks

ANA Position Statements

• Position Statement Background Info (ANA Members Only): Post-Exposure Programs in the Event of Occupational Exposure to HIV/HBV - 9/06/91 This is available only to members.
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  ANA's Official Position on This Issue: The American Nurses Association (ANA) encourages the prompt access to confidential post-exposure evaluations, counseling, and follow-up by knowledgeable clinicians. These procedures should be considered the standard of care by any healthcare agency. A comprehensive post-exposure program should be in place to assure that employees receive accurate information, guidance, reassurance, and supportive care.

• Position Statement Background Info (ANA Members Only): Equipment/Safety Procedures to Prevent Transmission of Bloodborne Diseases - 9/06/91 This is available only to members.
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  ANA's Official Position on This Issue: The American Nurses Association (ANA) urges immediate and ongoing research and evaluation of devices and equipment intended to reduce risk of injury from sharps and of personal protective equipment designed to reduce exposure. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, ANA supports the consistent and strict use of universal precautions; the availability of proven safety measures; the standardization of methods to assure equipment is safe; and the continued evaluation and modification of work practices to assure optimum safety in the workplace.

• Position Statement Background Info (ANA Members Only): Needle Exchange and HIV - 4/02/93 This is available only to members.
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  ANA's Official Position on This Issue: The American Nurses Association (ANA) supports:
  -the availability of needle exchange programs which include:
  -the adherence to public health and infection control guidelines,
  -education about the transmission of HIV disease
  -confidential HIV testing with pre & post-test counseling,
  -access for referral of injection drug users (IDUs) to treatment and rehabilitation services.
  -access to needle exchange programs at the local community level,
  -the development of public policy to support needle exchange programs with access to health screening and drug treatment services,
  -the utilization of qualified health care providers, including nurses, as resources for quality, cost-effective program outcomes, and
  -continued research of the effectiveness of needle exchange programs which include access to primary health care screening and drug treatment.