Becton, Dickinson and Company BDX, commonly known as BD, announced results from an independent study of acute care hospitals, which affirm that hospitals using reusable sharps containers have a higher chance of being exposed to C. difficile infection.
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium related to the group of bacteria that cause tetanus and botulism.
The study was based on surveys conducted at over 600 hospitals in the U.S. The responses of the survey (conducted in 2013) were linked to the FY2012 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data set.
According to the multi variable regression analysis, hospitals that used single-use containers showed significantly lower rates of C. difficile compared to their counterparts who used reusable containers. The Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) for those using single-use containers was pegged at 0.87, which translates to nearly 15% difference in the predominance of C. difficile infection rates.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the C. difficile infection has an alarming track record. It caused more than 29,000 deaths in 2011 and the U.S. health care system has to bear an estimated annual cost of nearly $4.8 billion.
Sharps containers are widely used in the health care environment. With the latest study results hinting at the risk of using reusable sharps containers, it is expected that the demand for BD’s disposable sharps disposal solutions will only increase.
BD’s two product line for sharps disposal collection are BD Recykleen Sharps Collectors and BD Sharps Collectors.
The first sharps collector line comprises products made with a variety of recycled materials which feature different types of lids with VAT (visual, audible, tactile) perimeter locks, temporary closure, handles and clear tops to view fill levels.
The second red infectious waste sharps collectors come in a variety of lid designs and sizes.
Zacks Rank
Currently, BD has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked medical stocks at the moment include AMN Healthcare Services AHS, Cancer Genetics CGIX and INC Research Holdings INCR. All the three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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