Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byAbraham Williams Modified over 9 years ago
1
SHARPS INJURY PREVENTION
2
Learning Objectives Identify the different types of sharps. Identify risks posed by needles and other sharps. Recall safe practices for needles and other sharps. Recognize sharps that have engineered sharps injury protection. Know what Personal Protective Equipment includes. Know how to report an exposure incident.
3
Sharps - Definition Definition: any needles, syringes with needles, scalpels, blades, broken ampules or other articles that could cause wounds or punctures to personnel handling them. Must be discarded into special containers without risk to disposal personnel.
4
Risks Posed by Sharps Transmission of blood borne pathogens to someone injured by the sharp. Between 600,000 and 800,000 sharp injuries occur among healthcare workers annually according to OSHA.
5
Blood Borne Pathogen Transmission Sharps injuries can be associated with occupational transmission of more than 20 blood borne pathogens: Most common pathogens: Hepatitis B (HBV) Hepatitis C (HCV) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Sharps injuries can lead to serious or fatal infections.
6
About ½ of sharp injuries go unreported. A culture of safety should be promoted by: Reporting injuries and hazards. Supporting involvement of staff in selection of sharps injury prevention devices. Providing education and training on sharps injury prevention. Culture of Safety
7
Hypodermic needles Blood collection needles Suture needles Needles used in IV delivery systems Glass capillary tubes Used disposable razors Sharps that Frequently Cause Injury
8
Physicians Nurses Lab technicians Phlebotomists Mid-level providers Housekeepers Laundry personnel And others Who is at Risk?
9
Drawing blood IM injections IV access Suturing Handling laundry Collecting filled sharps containers And more Procedures Linked to Injuries
10
Occupational Exposure to bloodborne pathogens (29 CFR §1910.1030) Revised in January 2001 Covers all occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material Available at www.osha.gov OSHA Requirements
11
Healthcare facilities must: Develop and periodically review an exposure control plan. Offer safer medical devices to reduce or eliminate exposure incidents. Seek employee input in selection of safer medical devices and implementation of work practice controls. Offer the Hep B vaccine to workers. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
12
OSHA requires healthcare providers to: Identify jobs and tasks in which occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material occurs. Consider and implement safer medical devices. Seek input from healthcare workers in identification, evaluation and selection of safer medical devices and work practice controls. Update plan annually. Exposure Control Plan
13
Follow standard precautions. Use engineering and work practice controls. Wear personal protective equipment. Avoid recapping, bending or breaking of needles and sharps. Methods to Reduce Exposure
14
CDC recommends standard precautions: Assume all blood and body fluids are infectious. Every patient is treated as potentially infected with a bloodborne pathogen. All healthcare workers must use standard precautions whenever there is a chance of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. Workers must use hand hygiene! Standard Precautions
15
Avoid recapping, bending or breaking needles and sharps. Use a one hand technique if medical procedure requires recapping. Place used sharps immediately into puncture- resistant containers. Carry sealed specimen containers in an outer container. Avoid touching contaminated broken glass with bare hands. Safe Practices
16
A protective device that can be used to protect healthcare workers from accidental needlesticks and other sharp injuries. Generally take the same form and are used for the same application as their traditional non- safety counterparts, EXCEPT: Protective devices are designed to prevent personnel from coming into contact with an exposed needle or other sharp. Safe Medical Device
17
Needleless systems, such as needleless IV line connectors; Sharps with engineered sharps injury protection, such as self-sheathing needles on syringes. Two Types of Safer Medical Devices
18
NOW YOU SEE IT.NOW YOU DON’T.
19
Device that does not use a needle for Collection of body fluids Administration of medication/fluids; or Any other procedure with potential percutaneous exposure to a contaminated sharp. Needleless Systems
20
Needleless System
21
Non-needle sharps or needle devices with built-in safety features or mechanisms that reduce the risk of exposure incidents. Uses: Withdrawing body fluids Accessing a vein or artery Administering medications or other fluids Engineered Sharps Injury Protection
22
Example of Hypodermic Syringe with Retractable technology
23
Example of Phlebotomy Needle with Self-blunting Feature
24
Needleguard Safety Feature
25
PPE Equipment worn to minimize exposure to infectious materials or chemicals. Required by the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard if exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials is anticipated. pps://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/haz ards/ppe/ppe.html Personal Protective Equipment
26
Know where protective wear is stored Gloves, gowns, mask, face protector, etc. Protective Clothing
27
Used to collect blood Break when inserted into putty Break during centrifugation Replace with non-glass material or Wrap in puncture-resistant film or Look at products that can measure Hematocrit without a centrifuge. Risks of Glass Capillary Tubes
28
All contaminated sharps must be discarded in a sharps container – OSHA requirement Place sharps in container immediately after use. Place containers in patient rooms. Do not overfill container. Follow your practice’s procedures for disposal of sharps and container. Sharp Disposal Containers
29
An exposure incident has occurred if Blood or other potentially infectious material (not your own) has come into direct contact with your eyes, mouth, mucous membranes or open wounds; or You have punctured your skin with a contaminated sharp object. Exposure Incident
30
Report all exposures Complete necessary paperwork to help document exposure. Employer will provide a medical evaluation, counseling, treatments, information, etc. as needed for you. Exposure Incident
31
Hepatitis vaccine is recommended if you have not been vaccinated. Post-exposure prophylaxis should be started if clinically indicated. E.g.. HIV should be started within hours after exposure. Post-exposure
32
Use devices with safety features. Know how to use them. Never recap needles. Always dispose of used and contaminated sharps immediately in the proper container. Be aware of hazards of non-needle sharps: Broken glass, scalpels, blades, etc. Report all sharp related injuries. SUMMARY
34
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Fact Sheet: https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Bloodbo rneFacts/bbfact01.pdfA: CDC: https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Bloodbo rneFacts/bbfact01.pdf https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Bloodbo rneFacts/bbfact01.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/pdf/sharpss afety_poster3.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/pdf/sharpss afety_poster3.pdf Resources
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.