What is an example of a medical device that reduces the risk of needle-stick injuries?

The example of a medical device that significantly reduces the risk of needle-stick injuries is safety needles or retractable syringes. These devices are designed with built-in safety features that help prevent accidental needle-stick injuries, which can occur during use or disposal. Safety needles often have mechanisms that retract the needle after use, thus minimizing the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens for healthcare professionals.

In contrast, standard hypodermic needles and traditional syringes lack these safety features, making them more prone to causing needle-stick injuries. While sharps containers are essential for safely disposing of used needles and reducing overall risk in the workplace, they do not prevent injuries that occur during the actual use of needles. Therefore, safety needles or retractable syringes are recognized as better choices for injury prevention in clinical settings because they actively incorporate safety mechanisms to protect healthcare workers.