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SEPTEMBER 2015 | The Surgical Technologist | 401 The Economic Argument for Using Safety Scalpels L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S s Examine the economic burden of scalpel injuries s Identify the incidence rate of scalpel injuries within the OR s Review OSHA’s stance on the use of safety scalpels s Learn the reasons some surgeons choose not to use safety scalpels s Summarize why it’s beneficial for healthcare institutions to use safety scalpels Ronald L Stoker and Mark S Dav i s , md Hospital risk managers, infection prevention specialists, surgeons, surgi- cal technologists and other members of the surgical staff are acutely aware of scalpel injuries in both OR and non-OR settings. Scalpel injuries are occurring too frequently and cost toomuchmoney; however, they can be prevented. This report examines the benefits and economics of using safety scalpels, which may enable purchasing personnel to better evaluate the cost of scalpels, as they become aware that conventional scalpels costmore than just the price tag. I NC I DENC E OF S C A L P E L I N J UR I E S It has been estimated that more than 75 million scalpel blades are used annually in the United States. The frequent use of conventional scal- pels creates a never-ending supply of opportunities for scalpel-related injuries. Nearly every OR staff member has seen or heard about a scalpel-related injury. Almost half of the respondents of a recent sur- vey witnessed a scalpel-related injury, with more than 80% of them reporting the incidents. And while less than 10% of the respondents indicated that someone else had injured them with a scalpel, only 2% admitted to injuring someone with a scalpel. It has been 14 years since the landmark 2000 Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Revision of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard soon followed. Since that time, many hospital departments have embraced the stan- dard and have almost entirely converted to safety products. The oper- ating room, however, is one area that has struggled to comply with the OSHA standard. Most operating room workers continue to use