All invasive procedures, operations, plastic surgery, transplant surgery, hip or knee replacement, open heart surgery, bypass and minor surgical procedures will come to a grinding halt. This is the year we learn that the very technology we’ve created to help us live more comfortable and, yes, often healthier lives will turn around and bite us-hard

In modern medical practice, up to 80% of hospitalised patients receive intravenous therapy at some point during their admission. Cannulation has become the most commonly performed invasive medical procedure.

There is now considerable interest in changing the technique due to problems with antibiotic and antiseptic resistant bacterial infection spreading in our hospitals.

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust (UK) begun prescribing the insertion of cannulae - for giving intravenous fluids. Doctors are able to monitor the tubes more closely for signs of infection. The trust said since the introduction last November there have been no new cases of MRSA infections. This figure covers all forms of MRSA, including bloodstream infections (also known as bacteraemia) and wound infections. This compares to 2007/08 when there was 11 reported bloodstream infections. ,

Cannula insertion is notoriously difficult. It is often complicated in patients who are afraid of needles or have had bad experiences in the past. Fear activates the sympathetic nervous system thereby provoking peripheral vasoconstriction making further attempts to introduce cannulae difficult.

Bacteria have also developed resistant to disinfectants and antiseptic wash. This increase the risk of introducing bacteria into the skin and blood vessels. Various studies published since 2006 are all pointing fingers at this simple life saving technique as a major contributor.

Strict hand washing technique is important but studies have found colonization of bacteria in the hands of nurses and doctors increase. This may be due to dry skin with cracks and low concentration of chemicals used in the hand wash and rubs make bacteria develop resistance.

Cannula have hitherto been arranged for the user to move the cannula forward using the index finger. This forward movement of the cannula must be performed swiftly once the tip of the needle has entered the lumen of the blood vessel. Any slight movement of the tip of the needle in the blood vessel lumen may result in puncture and failed cannulation; any withdrawal of the tip of the needle, prior to cannula placement in the lumen, will also result in failure. Multiple punctures is traumatic, increase chances of introducing infection because staff fail to observe drying time and the bacteria are resistant to disinfectants and antiseptic wash.

Medical product manufacturers have developed various methods and devices offering protection from needle stick injuries but none claim to reduce  the number of attempts.

Studies published in medical journal show the incidence of needle stick injury is not as high as the cannula manufacturers have claimed. The manufacturers are aggressively marketing their so called "Safety cannula" though this does not offer any benefit to patient care or help reduce spreading infections.

Sharp Injuries Practice Nurses, July 2006 published statistics about injury & infections between 1996-2004 in UK. 997 healthcare care workers exposed to Hepatitis (9 infected), 551 exposed to to HIV (1 infected) & 181 to Hep-B. Safety cannula has no additional benefit to patient care but increase cost and does not reduce introduction of bacterial infections to patients.

The number of patients contracting antibiotic resistant bacterial infection is rapidly increasing and is estimated to be as killing 5,000 a year in UK. The number of people colonized with CA-MRSA is said to be 53 million and is rapidly increasing all over the world.

We believe reduction of attempts required to successfully introduce cannula in a vein must be our primary task as multiple punctures increase risk of spreading infections. 30% of health people are now colonised with CA-MRSA in their hands. With no new antibiotic and disinfectants not effective, patents life is at risk.

We feel its is important to start worrying about patients, our children and protect our medical profession from extinction. We must act now and bring in changes that matter not persevere our mission to cut our losses promoting "Needle stick Injury".

"Do No Harm"