Washington The Federal Healthcare Worker Needlestick Prevention Act, which was introduced in May in the House of Representatives, could increase a home medical equipment provider's supplies and training costs by as much as 50 percent.

But that cost could simply replace the expense related to dealing with needlestick injuries, said Noreen Coyne, national director of infusion therapy for Staff Builders, Lake Success, N.Y.

"There is a great expense in supplies, the changes in practice and training staff on the use of new needle-less devices or safety components," she said. "In my company, I looked at adding only a small number of devices, and there was still a 50 percent increase in cost. In a way, even though it is a pretty major increase, it is somewhat equal to the cost of dealing with the needlestick injuries."

The bill, which would amend the bloodborne pathogen transmission standard of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, is being considered by the Educational Workforce, Commerce and Ways and Means committees. It will probably not be acted upon until 2000, said a spokeswoman for Rep. Pete Stark, D-California, who, along with Rep. Marge Roukema, R-New Jersey, introduced the bill. But whether this or another bill passes, industry experts say it's only a matter of time before a needlestick regulation is in place. They pointed to increasing concern over the transmission via needle-sticking of hepatitis and HIV.

"The rise in bloodborne pathogen transmissions has driven the push toward legislation," said David Peters, president of MedCare Medical Group, East Swanzey, N.H. "Healthcare workers got together to make their voices heard by way of unions and associations."

Under the bill, health care employers would be required to have an updated written exposure control plan, an injury log made available to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, training for direct-care health on the use of all needle-less and sharps system and a list of existing needle-less systems compiled by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the State Department of Health Services.

The bill would affect hospital procedures and those in the home, according to Jorge Gonzalez, senior vice president of medic alternate care services of Mediq/Prn, Pennsauken, N.J. "Care is given in the home professionally, by a relative or companion, or is self administered," he said. "When you give your own infusion, you're not concerned with the big issues, but if you hit yourself with another person's needle, then you worry."