Overview

Question: How could you reduce the risk of a sharps injury in your hospital?

Spend a few minutes writing down your answers on a piece of paper (or discussing in a group). You may find that it helps to think of what you could do:

Answer

Question: How could you reduce the risk of a sharps injury in your hospital?

Spend a few minutes writing down your answers on a piece of paper (or discussing in a group). You may find that it helps to think of what you could do:

  • To prepare for using a sharp object such as a needle
  • Whilst using
  • After using that sharp object.

Answer: Consider the following suggestions:

Question: How could you reduce the risk of a sharps injury in your hospital?

Spend a few minutes writing down your answers on a piece of paper (or discussing in a group). You may find that it helps to think of what you could do:

  • To prepare for using a sharp object such as a needle
  • Whilst using
  • After using that sharp object.

Answer: Consider the following suggestions:

Suggestions for preparing for using a sharp:

  • If it is an injection, consider whether it is necessary. It usually will be in anaesthesia. However, overall, 60-80% of injections were judged to be unnecessary by WHO in 1999, usually antibiotics, which could have been given orally
  • Wear gloves when there's a risk of contact with blood or body fluids. In one study, a glove was found to remove 97% of blood from tapered needles and 65% from cutting needles
  • Cover any areas of your broken skin with dressings
  • Wear closed footwear (not sandals)
  • Bring sharps disposal container to within arms reach of procedure
  • Get help if preparing to use a sharp, e.g. an injection for an agitated or confused patient

Question: How could you reduce the risk of a sharps injury in your hospital?

Spend a few minutes writing down your answers on a piece of paper (or discussing in a group). You may find that it helps to think of what you could do:

  • To prepare for using a sharp object such as a needle
  • Whilst using
  • After using that sharp object.

Answer: Consider the following suggestions:

Suggestions for during and after using a sharp:

  • Do not resheath needle. If it is essential to resheath: scoop using one hand, and only when sheath is on, press it home with other hand
  • Do not bend or break needles before disposal
  • Syringe and needle should be disposed of together without disconnecting
  • Use forceps to remove scalpel blades
  • Do not pass sharp hand to hand
  • Discard immediately after use
  • Disposal should be the responsibility of the person who has used the sharp implement