Flyer: Needlestick/Sharps Safety and Prevention

Needlestick/SharpsSafety and PreventionPROTECTINGYOURSELFFROMNEEDLESTICKINJURIES

PREVENTING SHARPS INJURIESWhile exposure to bloodborne pathogenspresents a deadly hazard, these risks are verypreventable. Over 80% of sharps injuries canbe prevented with the use of safety engineereddevices, which, in conjunction withworker training and work practice controls,can reduce injuries by over 90%.An effective sharps injury preventionprogram includes:• An assessment of hazards using theinstitution’s own, or the University ofVirginia EPINet data.• The implementation of safety engineereddevices with priority on vascularaccess and blood drawing devices.Next for consideration are hypodermicdevices, then blades, lancets, and lastlysutures.• A needlestick/sharps injury log containingthe situation and type of deviceinvolved in the incident, including make,model, and manufacturer.• A training program reviewed regularlyby the Joint Health & SafetyCommittee (JHSC) to provide workerswith information on the risks of bloodbornepathogens, and how to reducethese risks through safer products andpractices. Workers should also betrained on post-exposure protocols.• An exposure control plan that bringsall of the above items together. Theexposure control plan is to be createdand revised annually with input fromnon-managerial staff and the JHSC.

R I S K SEvery year ONA members working in health careare exposed to deadly bloodborne pathogens asa result of incidents from medical sharps devices.There are more than 69,000 sharps incidentseach year in this country. Although registerednurses sustain the majority of these injuries, doctors,lab technologists, housekeeping staff,maintenance workers, laundry workers andother health care workers also suffer needlestickand sharps injuries. These injuries are also acommunity health concern affecting waste disposalworkers, education sector workers, municipal,penal/penitentiary workers, etc. Eliminatingthese preventable hazards is a legitimate concernfor everyone at risk.RISK OF INJURYThe highest risk for pathogen transmission isfrom hollow-bore, blood-filled needles. Specificfeatures make some devices more dangerous:• Hollow-bore needles• Needle devices that must be taken apartor manipulated by the health care worker• Devices that retain an exposed needleafter use• Needles that are attached to tubingRISK OF DISEASESharps injuries can expose workers to a numberof bloodborne pathogens that can cause seriousor fatal infections. The bloodborne pathogensthat pose the greatest health risk are:•Hepatitis B virus (HBV)•Hepatitis C virus (HCV)•Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)HBV vaccination has proved highly effective inpreventing infection. It is recommended for allhealth care workers. However, no vaccine existsto prevent HCV or HIV infection. Some risk factorscan increase the risk of HIV transmission.

WORK PRACTICESEngineering controls eliminate hazards at thesource and are the best and most effectiveapproach to occupational health and safety.Safety engineered needles and medical sharpsmust be the primary source of eliminatingand reducing sharps related injuries.Safety engineered medical devices affordthe worker superior protection because thesafety features/technologies are designedand incorporated into the device.If you sustain an injury:• Wash the wound with soapand water• Alert your supervisor• Report immediately to employeehealth or emergency room (ER)• Ensure that you follow up the incidentwith your family physician• Get post-exposure prophylaxis withintwo hours of the exposure(if appropriate)• Document the incidentie. in a sharps injury log• Get follow-up testing and counselling• File a workers' compensation report• Notify your Joint Health & SafetyCommittee• Notify your BargainingUnit/Local/Labour Relations Officer

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO…• Insist on safety-engineered devicesin your workplace. Exercise yourlegal rights under the OccupationalHealth & Safety Act when necessary.• Always activate the safety featureof any device you are using.Safety-engineered devices eliminatethe unnecessary risk of recapping.• Plan for the safe handling and disposalof sharps before using them.• Promptly dispose of used sharps inappropriate sharps disposal containers.• Tell your supervisor, employer, andJoint Health & Safety Committeeabout any needlestick/sharps hazards.• Report all needlestick and sharpsrelatedinjuries promptly to ensureyou receive appropriate care.• Participate in training related toinfection prevention.• Get a hepatitis B vaccination.• Exercise your legal rights to health& safety protection, including theright to refuse unsafe work wherepossible. Please refer to ONA'swebsite for more information onyour Right to Refuse Unsafe Work.www.ona.org

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