A law passed recently by the US Senate means that only “safety-engineered” needles can be used in American health care facilities. These devices have been “designed to automatically eliminate needles or to retract, cover or blunt them after use.” The bill also requires that a detailed log of needlestick injuries be maintained. According to JAMA (2000;284:2585), there are 600 000 to 800 000 needlestick injuries in the US each year, and there have been 55 documented cases of occupational HIV transmission involving US health care workers since 1985.
. 2001 Feb 6;164(3):392.