On 18 June 2026, Dr Philip Bickford Smith presented on behalf of the European Biosafety Network at An Evening with the Belgian Society of Emergency & Disaster Medicine (BeSEDiM): ‘Quality & Safety in EM: It’s Hot in the Pit.’ A free, accredited webinar.
Dr Bickford Smith’s presentation, titled “Needles & Syringes: Risky Business!”, discussed the persistent challenge of needlestick injuries despite the widespread introduction of safer needle technologies.
Drawing on his decades of expertise in medical device safety and standards, Dr Bickford Smith highlighted the gap between active and passive needle protection systems, the ongoing rise in hypodermic needle use, incomplete conversion to safety devices due to cost constraints, and the growing risks from out-of-hospital and community-based sharps use. He also addressed the emerging safety challenges posed by sustainability pressures on medical device design.
Thank you to BeSEDiM for the opportunity and thank you to Dr Bickford Smith for representing the EBN at this event and continuing to draw attention to the importance of safer needle technologies.
