The Forum for Injection Technique (FIT) has recently won two awards for their collaborative initiative ‘FIT4Safety – Injection Safety in UK and Ireland’, which includes the formulation and publication of the widely praised Safety of Sharps in Diabetes Recommendations (1st Edition).
FIT4Safety and the recommendations were developed to protect healthcare workers and patients from the risks of diabetes related sharps injuries, which are a serious occupational hazard faced by healthcare workers. The two awards included a British Journal of Nursing Award for infection prevention and the Kimberly-Clark 2013 HAI Watchdog Award, given to reward those who champion infection prevention in UK hospitals. For the latter, FIT4Safety was awarded the highest accolade – the Clinician’s Choice Award. Dr Debra Adams, head of infection prevention and control (Midland and East) at NHS Trust Development Authority, and member of the FIT4Safety Board, commented: “We are thrilled that our efforts to improve infection prevention and control have been recognised. Sharps injuries are often seen as an occupational hazard, but all those that come into contact with sharps, from clinicians to downstream workers, deserve appropriate education and procedures to prevent them. The desire to promote best practice is what drives FIT forward, and winning awards that highlight FIT’s contribution has made FIT’s hard work all the more worthwhile.”
