Refresher Training for Frontline Health Workers in Expanded ... - RHO

3. How do you keep the following vaccines cold during an immunization session?
a) Opened vials that you are using
Put them in the foam pad that rests on top of the ice packs inside the
vaccine carrier.
b) Unopened vials
Whether you are on outreach or in the health center, put them inside the
vaccine carrier under the foam pad and leave them there until you need
them.
Exercise 4 (found on Page 37 of the Module)
“Berhane is a most careful nurse”
Buzz Group Exercise
Ato Berhane is a very careful nurse. He understands that unsafe injections can be
dangerous. He never re-caps used syringes. He uses one sterile syringe and one sterile
needle for each injection.
He uses safety box for used syringes, if available. But he hasn’t had a supply of safety
boxes for 6 months. So he carefully drops the used and uncapped syringes into a
cardboard box. He knows the cleaning lady will take care of the rubbish at the end of the
day. When he comes to work in the morning, he expects to see a clean and tidy room.
What problems may be occurring? What can be done to improve the situation?
The cardboard box being used in place of the safety box may not be strong enough.
If the walls are thin, needles may penetrate. The box should have strong sides, top
and bottom. If necessary, Ato Berhane should strengthen the box by placing one
box inside another. The box should be closed at all times, with a small hole in the
top just big enough for a syringe and needle to enter.
He should not re-use the same box after filling it once. He should destroy the
container when it is three-quarters full and find a new container for his next
session.
Ato Berhane should inform his supervisor that he has not received safety boxes for
six months. This may be a problem that is occurring elsewhere, and the supervisor
needs to learn of the lack of supplies.
It is generally preferable for the syringes and needles to be collected over a period
of time rather than being disposed each day. Ato Berhane should determine what
actions are being taken by the cleaning lady. Are the syringes and needles being
properly burned and buried? Does the cleaning lady understand how to protect
herself and the community from any exposure to used syringes and needles? Does
she need to receive some instructions?
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