Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes

BackgroundPreventing needlestick injuries caused by hypodermic needles is crucial for healthcare personnel. In this context, port access needles play an important role. However, systematic comparisons of different safety-engineered port access needles have not been conducted. Therefore, we evaluated...

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Main Authors: Feline Gabler, Pierre Heiden, Peter Deibert, Daniel Steinmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Medical Technology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmedt.2025.1505184/full
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author Feline Gabler
Pierre Heiden
Peter Deibert
Daniel Steinmann
author_facet Feline Gabler
Pierre Heiden
Peter Deibert
Daniel Steinmann
author_sort Feline Gabler
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundPreventing needlestick injuries caused by hypodermic needles is crucial for healthcare personnel. In this context, port access needles play an important role. However, systematic comparisons of different safety-engineered port access needles have not been conducted. Therefore, we evaluated differences in product characteristics and user preferences of safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles.MethodsPort puncture was performed using port access needles with four different safety mechanisms: (a) EZ Huber™ PFM Medical, (b) Gripstick® Safety OMT, (c) Gripper Micro® Smiths Medical and (d) pps ct® Vygon. Each needle type was used in three consecutive tries: an uninstructed first handling, after which instructions were given according to operating manual. Subsequently, a first and second trial were conducted. Study endpoints included successful activation, activation time, way of activation (one hand or two hands), correct activation, possible risk of needlestick injury, possibility of deactivation and preferred safety mechanism.ResultsOverall, successful activation rate during the second trial was equal for all four devices (100%). Median activation time was (a) 6 s, (b) 3 s, (c) 11 s and (d) 6 s. Single-handed activation during the second trial was (a) 0%, (b) 75%, (c) 1% and (d) 1%. Single-handed activation after further preparation with two hands during the second trial was (a) 0%, (b) 0%, (c) 0% and (d) 50%. Correct activation during the second trial was (a) 97%, (b) 66%, (c) 19% and (d) 44%. Possible risk of needlestick injury during the second trial was highest with (b). Possibility of deactivation was (a) 75%, (b) 94%, (c) 97% and (d) 22%. Individual preferences for each system were (a) n = 5, (b) n = 2, (c) n = 1 and (d) n = 24. The main written reasons given for preference were the safety protection mechanism and handling of the port needle.ConclusionWe have shown significant differences regarding product characteristics of safety mechanisms of port access needles. Our evaluation approach provides specific data for both, technical (e.g., single-handed activation) and personal device selection criteria (e.g., preference of the safety mechanism).
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spelling doaj-art-71d2086d5a234476bd0ebb7b0d7a283a2025-08-20T01:55:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medical Technology2673-31292025-04-01710.3389/fmedt.2025.15051841505184Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routesFeline Gabler0Pierre Heiden1Peter Deibert2Daniel Steinmann3Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, GermanyOccupational Medical Service, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, GermanyInstitute of Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, GermanyOccupational Medical Service, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, GermanyBackgroundPreventing needlestick injuries caused by hypodermic needles is crucial for healthcare personnel. In this context, port access needles play an important role. However, systematic comparisons of different safety-engineered port access needles have not been conducted. Therefore, we evaluated differences in product characteristics and user preferences of safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles.MethodsPort puncture was performed using port access needles with four different safety mechanisms: (a) EZ Huber™ PFM Medical, (b) Gripstick® Safety OMT, (c) Gripper Micro® Smiths Medical and (d) pps ct® Vygon. Each needle type was used in three consecutive tries: an uninstructed first handling, after which instructions were given according to operating manual. Subsequently, a first and second trial were conducted. Study endpoints included successful activation, activation time, way of activation (one hand or two hands), correct activation, possible risk of needlestick injury, possibility of deactivation and preferred safety mechanism.ResultsOverall, successful activation rate during the second trial was equal for all four devices (100%). Median activation time was (a) 6 s, (b) 3 s, (c) 11 s and (d) 6 s. Single-handed activation during the second trial was (a) 0%, (b) 75%, (c) 1% and (d) 1%. Single-handed activation after further preparation with two hands during the second trial was (a) 0%, (b) 0%, (c) 0% and (d) 50%. Correct activation during the second trial was (a) 97%, (b) 66%, (c) 19% and (d) 44%. Possible risk of needlestick injury during the second trial was highest with (b). Possibility of deactivation was (a) 75%, (b) 94%, (c) 97% and (d) 22%. Individual preferences for each system were (a) n = 5, (b) n = 2, (c) n = 1 and (d) n = 24. The main written reasons given for preference were the safety protection mechanism and handling of the port needle.ConclusionWe have shown significant differences regarding product characteristics of safety mechanisms of port access needles. Our evaluation approach provides specific data for both, technical (e.g., single-handed activation) and personal device selection criteria (e.g., preference of the safety mechanism).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmedt.2025.1505184/fullport access needlesneedlestick injurysafety-engineered protection mechanismlifelike modelmedical students
spellingShingle Feline Gabler
Pierre Heiden
Peter Deibert
Daniel Steinmann
Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes
Frontiers in Medical Technology
port access needles
needlestick injury
safety-engineered protection mechanism
lifelike model
medical students
title Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes
title_full Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes
title_fullStr Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes
title_short Evaluation of different safety-engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes
title_sort evaluation of different safety engineered protection mechanisms of port access needles using a lifelike model of vascular access routes
topic port access needles
needlestick injury
safety-engineered protection mechanism
lifelike model
medical students
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmedt.2025.1505184/full
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