Table 1 Foreshadowed issues and topical questions

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Does needlestick injury prevention continue to be a priority for organizations?

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Are organizations continuing to improve the availability and quality of safety devices and monitoring issues with existing devices?

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Are existing goals to eliminate needlestick injuries through the uptake of SEMDs realistic considering device availability and utility?

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How have healthcare workers responded to the transition to SEMDs? Is there resistance to the use of these devices among specific groups of workers?

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Has the regulation stimulated the uptake of safer engineered devices beyond the regulatory requirements?

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Has the transition to SEMDs negatively impacted patient care in any way?

Topical Questions:

Initial implementation procedures and activities:

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Was a sharps safety committee established?

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Did the process involve inventory review?

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What role did manufacturers have in facilitating the implementation process?

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Were SEMD pilot tested?

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Were workers involved in device selection?

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What kind of training and education on SEMD use and needlestick injury prevention was provided?

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Are there written policies and procedures in place?

Ongoing procedures and activities for sustained integration:

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Are there activities in place to increase compliance with the use of SEMDs?

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Is the use of SEMDs monitored? How are issues addressed?

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Is there continued training and education on the use of SEMDs and needlestick injury prevention?

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Does the original sharps committee still meet?

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Are SEMDs beyond the regulatory requirements being considered?

Contextual questions about the transition:

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When did the organization start to transition to the use of these devices?

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Are there still exceptions to the use of SEMDs?

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What do health and safety inspectors look for with regards to compliance with Ontario’s safer needle regulation

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Has the joint health and safety committee had a role in the implementation process?

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What are the organization’s ongoing health and safety priorities?