Moon Ensures Nurse Safety with 'Needle Stick Prevention' Automatic Disposal Device

[Startups Nurtured by Seoul City] Positive Reviews Through Public Sector Demonstration Opportunities for Innovative Technologies

Oh Kwangbin Moon Director

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the COVID-19 pandemic prolonged and the medical sector experienced strikes, voices calling for the recognition of nurses' hard work and improvement of their working conditions have grown louder in our society. However, investments to improve nurses' safety in hospitals operating under the medical fee and medical aid systems are always put on the back burner.

The startup 'MUNE' is pursuing a business related to the safety of medical staff within hospitals by promoting the automatic syringe disposal device 'ANDY.' ANDY is a product that, when a used syringe is placed into the separator, automatically cuts the needle with a built-in blade and separates the syringe body and needle for disposal. It was designed to prevent needle-stick injuries and subsequent blood infections that occur during the process of nurses disposing of used syringes.

MUNE joined the startup ranks in 2017 after a team project by engineering students in 2016 led to its founding. At a time when social interest and support for youth startups were increasing, the product's quality was recognized, enabling the company to secure funding from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation as well as investments from startup accelerators.

Last year, MUNE was also selected for the Seoul Business Agency (SBA)'s 'Innovative Technology Public Testbed Provision Project.' By providing opportunities for promising startups to demonstrate their products in the public sector, Seoul City enabled MUNE to install 30 ANDY devices across six wards of Seoul Medical Center and implement the product directly on-site. After installation, nurses' syringe disposal time was cut in half, and the frequency of needle-stick injuries decreased by as much as 86%, receiving positive evaluations. Reflecting this feedback, ANDY was further developed into a smaller, lighter, and more user-friendly product.

Since 2018, with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the government’s official aid agency, MUNE began supplying ANDY to hospitals in Vietnam and currently delivers to hospitals in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Small-scale exports have also continued to the United States and Australia. Director Oh Kwang-bin expressed, "We expect that as infection control in hospitals worldwide strengthens and new medical device investments are made, our product will receive even greater attention."

The company is soon set to launch its second product, the voice-recordable employee ID card 'Buzz.' This product allows medical staff to record voice files as evidence in cases of verbal abuse, assault, sexual harassment, and other incidents, aiming to ensure a safer working environment for medical personnel.

Director Oh said, "Our goal is to commercialize various products that create an environment where medical staff exposed to multiple risks can work safely."