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Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries

Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries. Procedures for Effectively Handling Sharps Injuries. What are “sharps”?. Sharps are devices that are intentionally sharp to puncture or cut skin (needles, scalpels, etc.), or become sharp due to accident, such as broken glass tubes. Hypodermic needles

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Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries

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  1. Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries Procedures for Effectively Handling Sharps Injuries

  2. What are “sharps”? Sharps are devices that are intentionally sharp to puncture or cut skin (needles, scalpels, etc.), or become sharp due to accident, such as broken glass tubes. • Hypodermic needles • Scalpels • IV devices • Capillary tubes • Glass containers • Pipettes • Others

  3. Who is at risk for sharps injuries? Any worker who may come in contact with contaminated sharps is at risk, including nursing staff, lab workers, doctors and housekeepers. The main issue is contamination from blood or other potentially infectious materials (“OPIM”).

  4. How common are sharps injuries? • Estimates indicate that 600,000 to 800,000 needle stick injuries occur each year. • Unfortunately, about half of these injuries are not reported. • ALWAYS REPORT sharps injuries to your employer to ensure that you receive appropriate follow-up care.

  5. What infections can be caused by sharps injuries? Sharps injuries can expose workers to a number of bloodborne pathogens that can cause serious or fatal infections. The pathogens that pose the most serious health risks are • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the virus that causes AIDS

  6. Quick FACT:HBV vaccination is recommended for all healthcare workers (unless they are immune because of previous exposure). HBV vaccine has proven to be highly effective in preventing infection in workers exposed to HBV. However, no vaccine exists to prevent HCV or HIV infection.

  7. HBV Vaccinations • OSHA requires that employers offer potentially exposed workers HBV vaccinations, free of charge. • Records must be maintained of these immunizations, OR • A prescribed refusal form must be maintained on file, if the worker refuses to accept the vaccination. • Workers may change their minds at any time and request the vaccination.

  8. What kinds of devices usually cause sharps injuries? • Hypodermic needles • Blood collection needles • Suture needles • Needles used in IV delivery systems • Scalpels

  9. Increasing the risk of sharps injuries Past studies show sharps injuries are often associated with these activities: • Recapping needles or other devices • Transferring a body fluid between containers • Failing to dispose of used needles or other devices properly in puncture-resistant sharps containers

  10. Protecting yourself from needle stick injuries • Avoid the use of needles where safe alternatives are available. • Help your employer select and evaluate devices with safety features that reduce the risk of injury. • Use devices with safety features provided by your employer. • Do not recap needles or scalpels. • Plan for safe handling and disposal of sharps before using them.

  11. Protecting yourself continued… • Report all needle stick and sharps-related injuries promptly to ensure that you receive appropriate follow-up care. • Tell your employer about any sharps hazards you observe. • Participate in training related to infection prevention. • Get a Hepatitis B vaccination.

  12. OSHA Requires Employers to: • Have a written Exposure Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens. • Use work practice and engineering methods to minimize exposure. • Solicit worker input for selection of safer (engineered) sharps devices. • Maintain a sharps incident/injury log. • Provide post-exposure follow up, care and counseling for workers who sustain sharps injuries. Sharps fall under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030.

  13. Examples of Safer Needle Devices • Needleless Connector Systems: Needleless connectors for IV delivery systems

  14. Examples of Safer Needle Devices • Self-Sheathing Safety Feature: Sliding needle shields attached to disposable syringes and vacuum tube holders Before use After use

  15. Examples of Safer Needle Devices • Retractable Technology: Needles or sharps that retract into a syringe, vacuum tube holder or back into the device.

  16. Examples of Safer Needle Devices • Self Blunting Technology: Self-blunting phlebotomy and winged-steel “butterfly” needles Blunt-Tipped BloodDrawing Needle Winged Steel Needles

  17. Examples of Safer Needle Devices • Add-on Safety Features:Hinged or sliding shields attached to phlebotomy needles, winged steel needles and blood gas needles Add-on sliding shield

  18. Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/2000-135.html http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/sharps/sharps.html#NeedlestickInjuries 

  19. Another Great Source: http://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety

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