1. Needle/Sharp Safety What’s Your Safety Temperature?

2. Objectives Learn needlestick facts Recognize risks associated with needlesticks and sharps injuries Understand how to reduce your risks through prevention methods

3. Needlestick Facts One out of every five healthcare workers sustain a needlestick injury every year Nurses have the most frequent needlestick injuries, followed by physicians, nursing assistants and housekeepers 40% of needlestick injuries occur during use 40% occur after use and before disposal 15% are disposal-related 5% occur during recapping

4. The Risks Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV

5. What can you do? Get a hepatitis B vaccination –If you are at risk for blood exposures Wear personal protective equipment –Gloves –Apron/gown –Eye protection

6. What can you do? Always use safety devices on needles and sharps –Safer needles/needleless systems Explain procedures to patients –Gain their cooperation –Avoid potential movement during procedure

7. What can you do? Limit interruptions during procedures Ask for assistance with patients –Uncooperative patients –Children

8. What can you do? When feasible, place sharps container close to procedure area NEVER recap needles Dispose of used needles in sharps disposal containers Avoid overfilling sharps disposal containers

9. What can you do? Wash hands after each patient contact Report ALL needlestick and sharp injuries Attend needle/sharps safety training when offered

10. Needle/Sharp Safety What’s Your Safety Temperature?