Sharps Injury Prevention: Key Practices and Guidelines

1. Diagnostic Imaging Needle Stick &Sharps Exposure PreventionSelf-Learning Packet2-2014 (policy reference changes 6-2019)

2. How Many Needle Stick Injuries occur in the U.S.A.? • The Department of Health Services reported that 600,000 to 800,000 needle stick injuries occur each year • A CDC study estimated that 385,000 occur in the hospital (>1,000/day) • ~5% of these were technologists That is 52 injuries a day! www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t000622a.html and NaSH 1995-Dec 2003 https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/ppt/2preventingneedlesticksparti.ppt

3. What Infections Can Be Caused by Sharps Injuries? • More than 20 bloodborne pathogens • The pathogens that pose the most serious health risks are: -Hepatitis B virus (HBV) – -Hepatitis C virus (HCV) – -Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

4. What Kinds of Devices Usually Cause Sharps Injuries? • Hypodermic needles • Blood collection needles • Needles used in IV delivery systems • Scalpels

6. Based on the Prior CDC Slide Needle Injuries Occur…. • 35% During sharps clean up and disposal • 28% Manipulating needle in patient • 10% Colliding with co-worker • 0.6% Recapping needle Did you notice? 35% happens AFTER the procedure during clean up and disposal

7. Sharps Safety • Prepare to use the device the moment the sharp is first opened • Take precautions while using sharps • Take precautions during cleanup • Take precautions during disposal www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

8. Sharps Safety Practices • Be Prepared • Be Aware • Dispose with Care www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

9. Be Prepared Before Beginning a Procedure • Wash Hands and Wear Gloves • Organize equipment at point of use • Use needleless systems when appropriate • Use adequate lighting • Keep sharps pointed away from the user • Plan ahead- Have sharps disposal nearby • Assess the patient’s ability to cooperate • Get help if necessary • Ask the patient to avoid sudden movement www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

10. Be AwareDuring a Procedure • Keep sharps visible • Avoid distractions • Never hand off or leave needles or sharps for others to dispose • Loudly sate “Sharps” when handling sharps • Maintain a safe zone around sharps being used • Always activate the safety device on needles immediately after each use • Be aware of staff nearby • Control the location of sharps to avoid injury • Use predetermined neutral zone for placing/retrieving sharps • Do not hand-pass exposed sharps from person to person • Alert others when sharps are being passed SCPNC.MCW-ADM.128 and www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety and

11. Be AwareDuring a Procedure continued…. • Activate injury prevention safety feature of device (e.g. retraction) • Observe audible or visual cues that confirm the safety feature is locked in place • Do not bend* or break needles • Do not recap* needles/scalpels *Exception: contaminated sharps may be bent, recapped or removed from devices if the procedure is performed using a mechanical device or one-handed technique AND no alternative is feasible or is required by a specific medical procedure SCPMC.MCW-IP.063

12. Be AwareDuring a Procedure continued…. • A stationary needle cap holder must be used for incremental doses of medication to the same patient MCW-IP.063 • Contaminated sharps that are reusable are to be placed immediately after use into designated holder (Shortstop™) and should be handled using some type of tong (hemostat/forceps) or device SCPNC.MCW-IP.063 • Do not remove needles from Shortstop ™ before disposing in sharps container • Plan for safe handling and disposal of sharps before using them

13. Clean up and Dispose with CareDuring Cleanup • Be accountable for sharps you use • Do not disassembled needles from syringes by hand prior to disposal • Use hemostat/forceps to move items when uncovering/checking procedure trays, waste materials, and bedding for exposed sharps • Look for sharps/equipment left behind inadvertently www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety YES

14. Clean Up and Dispose with CareWhile Disposing of Sharps • Inspect container • Keep hands behind sharps • Never put hands or fingers into sharps container • If you dispose sharps with attached tubing be aware that it can recoil and lead to injury • Maintain control of both tubing and the device during disposal www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

15. Clean Up and Dispose with CareAfter Disposing of Sharps • Visually inspect sharps container for overfilling • Replace containers when no more than ¾ full SCPMC.MCW-IP.063 www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

16. Clean Up and Dispose with CareIf you Find improperly Disposed Sharps in Work Environment • Handle Carefully • Keep hands behind sharps at all times • Use mechanical device (e.g. tong/hemostat) if you cannot safety pick up sharps by hand www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

17. Your Part in Prevention • Adhere to safe practices • Support co-workers in safety practices • Report injuries or blood/body fluid exposures, sharps injury hazards, and near misses • Participate in training for devices and properly use sharps safety features • Participate in safe culture and device evaluation www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

18. Speaking of UBT…..

19. Your Part in Prevention • Tell your employer about any sharps hazards you observe • Participate in training related to infection prevention • Get a Hepatitis B vaccination • Wear gloves • Wash Hands Sharps fall under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030.

20. Post TestName: NUID #:DateSubmit with your prerequisite packet • Most needle sticks occur before, during or after a procedure? • Having sharps disposal nearby is one way to be prepared before beginning a procedure. True or False ? • You should use hemostat/forceps to move items when uncovering/checking procedure trays, waste materials, or bedding for exposed sharps. True or False? • Sharps disposal containers should be emptied when they are no more than full. • We should remove needles from the Shortstop™ device before disposal. True or False ? • Needles should be removed from syringes/tubing before disposal? True or False?