Practice and evaluation: Management of acupuncture needle disinfection and sterilization

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the necessity and importance of enhancing the sterilization management of acupuncture needles.

Method

Traditionally, acupuncture needles were cleaned manually without thermal disinfection, which often caused needle-stick injuries. To solve the problems, a special cleaning case for acupuncture needles was designed and built to help achieve optimization of the processing flow if the case is used correctly in the process of recycling, cleaning, and package checking.

Result

Closed treatment of acupuncture needles reduced the percentage of needle-stick injuries to zero, and centralized management raised patients' satisfaction rate from 93% to 98%.

Conclusion

Effective sterilization of acupuncture needles is a precondition for the safe treatment of patients. Optimization of the processing flow can ensure the safety of medical personnel and patients; safety is stipulated by relevant regulations concerning sterilization and disinfection standards.