The SIGN alliance
A safe injection does not harm the recipient, does not expose the provider to any avoidable risks and does not result in waste that is dangerous for the community
Unsafe injection practices are increasingly recognized as a major source of infection with bloodborne pathogens. While it is the responsibility of all health care workers, their employers, the public, and national governments to ensure safe and appropriate use of injections, the prevention of bloodborne pathogen transmission and other adverse events associated with injections will require improved collaboration between organizations and individuals sharing a common interest in attaining this goal.
To achieve this collaboration, the "Safe Injection Global Network" (SIGN) has been established. SIGN is a voluntary coalition of stakeholders aiming to achieve safe and appropriate use of injections throughout the world. The Essential Health Technologies (EHT) department of the World Health Organization (WHO) provides the secretariat for the network. For more information, please read the terms of reference of the network.
The annual SIGN meetings provide opportunities to review common progress and to decide on action points for the members of the SIGN alliance. The Internet is used to disseminate presentations to those who cannot attend and user-friendly reports summarize key issues in a format that is quick and easy to read.
Each Wednesday, SIGN participants worldwide receive an electronic newsletter sent in text e-mail format. "SIGNpost" currently has more than 800 subscribers in the six WHO regions, facilitating informal discussions and experience sharing. SIGNPost is a powerful way to disseminate documents and to submit drafts to public comments. SIGNpost is highly appreciated by national public health managers.
