Keywords

enoxaparin, Lovenox, malfunction, needle stick, prefilled safety syringes, safety mechanism

Authors

1. Grimmond, Terry FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdED, TR
2. Gruden, Maryann MSN, RN, FNP, COHN-S/CM
3. Hurst, Bobbi Jo MBA, BSN, RN, COHN-S
4. Crutchfield, Lydia F. MA, BSN, RN, CLC

Abstract

Purpose: Investigate the incidence and mechanisms of sharps injuries (SI) to staff using Lovenox and generic enoxaparin prefilled syringes.

Methods: Four national adverse event databases were examined over a 12-year period for incidence and brands involved with injury events to staff using enoxaparin prefilled syringes.

Results: The search revealed 581 adverse events (including 20 sharps injuries) associated with device malfunction in 8 of 16 brands, with one brand mentioned significantly more frequently than others. No national alert had been issued.

Conclusions: Use of certain brands of enoxaparin prefilled syringes poses a small but serious risk of injury to staff. Conducting root cause analyses on all SI is essential, as is the need for regularly evaluating safer devices, reporting all device incidents, enabling simpler reporting of adverse events, and establishing more effective intervention by FDA and manufacturers.