By directly observing the use of products in the healthcare environment and involving the end-users of medical and dental technology in systematic evaluations, TDICT has developed a system for promoting safer medical devices. Fundamental to TDICT's work is the notion that end-users of medical devices should be involved in all stages of product development and selection. Our process includes:

• Reviewing literature on sharps injuries
• Identifying all safety devices commercially available
• Reviewing sharps injury data
• Clinical observations by product designers and industrial hygienists
• Training healthcare workers in principles of product design and evaluation
• Focus group studies with selected healthcare workers
• In depth product evaluation by healthcare workers of marketed safety devices and prototypes still in development
• Structural and failure analysis of safety products by product designers and industrial hygienists

In addition, TDICT works with Stanford University's School of Engineering and the University of California at Berkeley's School of Public Health to introduce students to healthcare worker health and safety. We also offer internships for both product design and industrial hygiene students interested in the medical device industry.