Letters to Members of Congress

In support of Health Care Worker Needlestick Prevention Act of 1999

Senate

Honorable ________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator _____:

I am writing today to urge you to support S. 1140, the "Health Care Worker Needlestick Prevention Act of 1999," which would reduce the risk of needlestick injuries to health care workers.

As a registered nurse, I am concerned about my potential exposure to highly infectious blood borne pathogens, such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C, as a result of an accidental needlestick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American health care workers report between 600,000- one million needle sticks and sharps injuries each year. This figure is considered to be low as a result of under-reporting of needle stick injuries. Needlestick injuries caused by hollow-bore needles accounted for 86 percent of all reported occupational HIV exposures.

S. 1140 would amend OSHA's blood borne pathogens standard to require health care facilities to utilize needleless systems and safer needlestick devices to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.

I urge you to cosponsor S. 1140. I appreciate your consideration of my views on this important issue and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Name (RN)

House of Representatives

Honorable __________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative ________:

I am writing today to urge you to support H.R. 1899, the "Health Care Worker Needlestick Prevention Act of 1999," which would reduce the risk of needlestick injuries to health care workers.

As a registered nurse, I am concerned about my potential exposure to highly infectious bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C, as a result of an accidental needlestick injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American health care workers report between 600,000-one million needle sticks and sharps injuries each year. This figure is considered to be low as a result of under-reporting of needlestick injuries. Needlestick injuries caused by hollow-bore needles accounted for 86 percent of all reported occupational HIV exposures.

H.R. 1899 would amend OSHA's blood borne pathogens standard to require health care facilities to utilize needleless systems and safer needlestick devices to prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens in the workplace.

I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 1899. I appreciate your consideration of my views on this important issue and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Name (RN)

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