Our Methodology
TDICT has developed a system for promoting safer medical devices by directly observing the use of products in the healthcare environment and by involving end-users and frontline healthcare personnel of medical and dental technology in these systematic evaluations.
Fundamental to TDICT’s work is the notion that end-users of medical devices should be involved in all stages of product development, selection, and implementation.
Our process includes:
- Reviewing literature on needlestick, sharps injuries, and blood and body fluid exposures
- Identifying current and newly available safer medical devices
- Reviewing exposure incident data, including EPINetĀ®
- Clinical observations by product designers, occupational health practitioners, infection preventionists, and industrial hygienists
- Training healthcare personnel in principles of product design and evaluation
- Conducting focus group studies with select groups of healthcare personnel and device designers/engineers
- In depth product evaluation of commercially available safer medical devices and prototypes in development
- Structural and failure analysis of safer products by product designers, occupational health practitioners, infection preventionists, and industrial hygienists