This guideline provides global, evidence-based recommendations on the use of safety-engineered injection devices to prevent the re-use of syringes and/or prevent needle-stick injuries in health care workers. The ultimate aim is to make injection practices safer for patients and health workers and to prevent the injection-related transmission of deadly viruses, particularly HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B.

The policy recommendation aims to support Member States and development partners in making informed decisions on the appropriateness of introducing safety-engineered syringes for all injections in health care settings.

The target audience for this guideline includes the staff from ministries, agencies, and other entities that have a critical role to play in the adoption and implementation of the policy, namely in endorsing the policy, manufacturing the devices, ensuring their procurement and distribution at country level, and promoting their correct use by health care providers and their evaluation in terms of safety and effectiveness.