[Safe equipment to prevent injuries in medical staff].

Sharp injures continue to pose a significant risk for the transmission of blood-borne pathogens from the patient to health care workers. Appropriate use of safe devices can significantly reduce such risk. On the basic of a literature review, information is provided about active and passive safety features of medical equipment, and the crucial elements needed for the proper evaluation of a safe device are discussed. Examples of safety equipment are presented. Barriers to the use of these new products are addressed. The user-based system approach for the selection and implementation of safety devices is also described.