From: Ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: News & information
Date: 14 Mrz 2008
Time: 11:19:56 +0100
Remote Name: 86.133.17.12
Yet another report of needles turning up on a beach, this time on West Oahu Beach, Hawaii.
"Medical needles have washed up on shore at the West Oahu beach known as Hau Bush for a week, including at least one more on Wednesday.
The state Department of Health put out an advisory on Wednesday, a week after the needles began turning up along the shore.
http://www.kitv.com/health/15580466/detail.html
This news report from KITV raises several issues. In particular, the report advises that "The Health Department advised that if a needle should stick anyone, to clean the wound with an antibiotic [I presume they mean antiseptic. Ian] and cover it with a clean bandage. Officials said you might also want to check with your doctor if it should happen."
Sharps or needlestick injuries can be devastating, and there is an absolute need for professional medical attention in every case.
Make the wound bleed but without using excess pressure, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and go immediately the the nearest Accident and Emergency Department.
The press report rather downplays the approach to be taken, and might encourage an injured person to cover the wound with a plaster, and do nothing more. Though the report hints at these needles being unused manufacturing waste or similar, the report seems very dangerous in its approach to offering advice. I wonder if those words came from the Health Department source, or from a cub reporter?